Baltimore Reads, Inc.

Our students range in age from 16-65 and included homeless persons, former offenders re-entering society, recovering addicts, young adults from group homes or independent living, seniors, married and single parents, and people of all races and creeds. BRI’s student body is demographically diverse: 62% Black/African American, 28% Hispanic or Latino, 7% White and 3% Asian.  Sixty-two per cent of students participating in our programs are between the ages of 25–44.  Baltimore Reads monitors the success and achievements of all of its students from passing the GED, to job placement, to simply learning to read for better comprehension, with goal setting, scheduled testing and securing employment. While our classes are offered to adults ages 16 and up, our Book Bank allows BRI to tackle the complexities of intergenerational illiteracy by providing free books to youth. The Book Bank assists low-income families in building home libraries and promotes reading and life-long learning. Books are also available to teachers and schools. Book donations throughout the year provide the books BRI redistributes to children and families through churches, Head Start programs, shelters, children’s centers, social service agencies, and community organizations.  Last year the Book Bank distributed 20,716 free books to Baltimore City and 12,570 books throughout Baltimore County.
Below are individual descriptions of the different programs offered at Baltimore Reads:
Adult ESOL Classes: The students are guided by an instructor to develop a functional command of the English language. The EL Civics Program is a subset of the ESL Program, providing language instruction that emphasizes the many benefits and responsibilities associated with citizenship and helps students fully engage in life and community in the United States.
The Literacy Garden: More than just another urban garden, the Literacy Garden is a unique learning environment located in the Park Heights Community. The Garden provides fresh produce and free books to the Park Heights neighborhood in Baltimore City, which is a designated “food desert” and “literacy desert.”