Extending Opportunities, Changing Lives

The Stephen Gaynor School Community Learning Center (CLC) is a yearlong reading remediation program for at-risk public school children. Currently, we enroll more than two dozen first- and second-graders from two public schools in the immediate neighborhood.

Early intervention helps students build foundational reading skills and gives them the confidence to improve in all areas of reading. We provide CLC students with a level of individual attention that’s not possible in their own school environment and help put them on a path to continued academic achievement.

Remarkable Metrics

In only its fifth year, the CLC already shows impressive results. We see students transform from shy and hesitant learners to proud achievers eager to continue their educational journey. In 2011, all 26 CLC students were decoding at or above grade level by the end of the school year, according to the Fundations Inventory.

How the CLC Works

CLC students come to Stephen Gaynor School for hour-long afterschool sessions twice per week. They break into groups of three to five students, enjoy a snack, warm up using soundcards, and then proceed with the lesson. Using their school’s phonics-based reading program, we give students the personalized support they need to become skilled readers. Our Middle School students volunteer at the center, sharing with the children the tools and strategies that helped them most along the way. Students often end the hour with fun games that reinforce the afternoon’s lesson.

Funding a Bright Future

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the CLC is entirely free to students, many of whom would otherwise be unable to participate. Donations help subsidize snacks, transportation, supplies, and a new book each student receives at the end of the year. To raise funds, we hold two successful events every year:

• Shooting for Success – Our winter fundraising event is a basketball tournament in which alumni, parents, teachers, students, and friends participate. Teams make a donation to play, and all proceeds support the CLC. We’re pleased to report that our 2010 tournament raised approximately $5,000.
• Spinning for Success – Each spring, our fitness-minded friends join forces to support the CLC by raising funds to spin on stationary bikes. Our inaugural spring fundraiser in 2011 was a tremendous success, raising about $7,000.

For more information on the CLC and how to volunteer or donate, contact CLC Director Kate Adlin at kadlin@stephengaynor.org.