Our Youth

With our partners at the Indy Learning Team and James Whitcomb Riley School #43, our successful Literacy Lab Program is helping children achieve literacy success! Over the past two years, we have seen a 30% increase in the number of students reading at grade level and a 66% increase in the number of tutoring hours provided. Currently 90% of our Kindergarten students are reading at grade level! We have such high expectations for them, and give each student the tools he or she needs to succeed.

Our middle school program also engages six through eighth graders from James Whitcomb Riley IPS School #43. The program also offers mentoring for students who have been involved in the juvenile justice system, or who have parents who have experienced incarceration. Youth development activities include homework assistance, conflict resolution, positive self-image, healthy relationships, healthy hygiene, and much more.

Youth provide input to the programming and activities at the MLK Center. In partnership with the Public Policy Institute, we conducted more than a year of focus groups. Check out the results below.

Read the Report

In 2018, the Read to Lead program achieved a 33% increase in the number of elementary children reading at grade level. Year-round literacy support works!

MLK Center Building a Reading Culture