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Our Program
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Dr. Lesley Morrow (Rutgers Univ.) has gathered and conducted research showing that literacy learning begins in infancy, and parents and caregivers need to provide a rich literacy environment to help children acquire literacy skills.
The Importance of Investing in Literacy,
by Linda Katz, Executive Director, CLI
The Prodigy Project assists young boys with academic achievement by encouraging and demonstrating a love of reading. Through various reading programs targeted at boys 5-9 years of age, The Prodigy Project helps combat the various negative influences, and emphasizes that's it's "cool" to be educated, literate, and smart. The program originated and is based in Atlanta, and services the city's urban communities.
 
Working the Program
The Prodigy Project addresses the boy's needs through a variety of volunteer opportunities.
Reading programs are offered at a variety of times and venues:
The program is primarily based on the need for adult African American males to demonstrate to young African American males that it's "cool" to read. The Prodigy Project of course welcomes females as well. We have other "non-reading" volunteer positions available. Of course we're always concerned with the safety of the young people in our program, and as such, all volunteers with access to the children are required to submit to a formal background check. There's also a short application and interview process. After the volunteer accepts a position, we provide an initial training. We then match the volunteer to the location that best fits their logistics requirements. More info on reading volunteers >> Info on other volunteer opportunities >> Enrolling a child for a weekend program >> 
A Prodigy Project volunteer reads to Seaborn Lee Elementary boys. What a volunteer can expect: For a couple of hours once a week, The Prodigy Project volunteer will join a group of boys (and girls if they elect to participate) for a fun and interactive session of reading and activities. With a little time and effort, the volunteers can form a bond with the reading group. From past experiences, the volunteers get just as much out of the sessions as that of the boys. More info on reading volunteers >> Info on other volunteer opportunities >> Enrolling a child for a weekend program >> Donating does make a difference: Your donation will go a long way in helping our young African American boys reach academic achievement that is sorely lacking in many areas of our communities. Your gift will make a difference in a child's life. The gift will go toward:
Think about how your gift can help improve the future of a young boy's life. Think about this: According to the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), 63% of black fourth graders read below grade level, compared with 27% of white children. Even Hispanic and Asian fourth graders have better reading scores than black children, despite the fact that English is their second language. Donate now >> More information on donating >> Ready to Get Involved? Sign up to be a volunteer >> Donate to support our programs >> Enroll a child >> |
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