STAIR OF BIRMINGHAM

WHAT IF EVERY CHILD COULD READ?

You can change the life of a young child by volunteering for STAIR. This is a heartwarming program filled with smiles and hugs. The success of STAIR depends on the number of volunteers who are willing to share a love of reading with a child.

STAIR (Start The Adventure In Reading) targets second grade students in the Birmingham City Schools who are currently reading below grade level, while providing after-school mentoring opportunities through one-on-one encounters with the same volunteer tutors each week.

Why second grade? Research shows that the optimum time for a child to master reading skills is during the second grade. In 1st grade a child learns to read. In 3rd grade a child reads to learn.

• STAIR uses an excellent curriculum tailored to the specific needs of each child.
• Teachers select the children most likely to benefit from the STAIR program.
• We see the scores of the standardized test given by the school improve over 90% on average for STAIR children.
• All materials and supplies are provided, and the students participate in the program at no charge to their families or school.
• Donations and volunteers are always welcomed and needed.

WHAT’S THE BUZZ ABOUT STAIR ???

From a STAIR student. . . . “I love STAIR because my tutors work only with me.”

From a STAIR Tutor. . . .“What I love most about STAIR is seeing the excitement and pride in my student's face when he/she successfully completes a task or reads a book. I especially like the influence that all the directors and tutors have on these precious children. The children definitely know they are loved when they attend the STAIR program!”

From a former STAIR student. . . .
“Hello my friends out there. Does your child have problems reading or spelling? If so send them to STAIR. They are a big help. They have fun things to do to help you bring up your grades. The tutors are very smart and nice. Your child will love it. Take it from me, a ten-year-old girl who has been there.”

From a STAIR parent. . . . “Thank you for helping our children. May God continue blessing you for what you are doing.”

WHERE IS STAIR? STAIR meets after school from 3:00-4:45 at 7 sites around Birmingham. The children are transported by private bus if the site is too far from the school to walk.

• Avondale –Our STAIR site at Avondale United Methodist Church serves 11 children from Avondale Elementary School Mon/Wed.
• East Lake—Our STAIR site at 45th Street Baptist Church serves 10 children from Barrett Elementary School Mon/Tues.
• Ensley—Our STAIR site at Greater New Antioch Baptist Church serves 8 children from Councill Elementary School Tues/Thurs.
• North Avondale—Our STAIR site at Independent Presbyterian Church serves 27 children from Whatley K-8 Tues/Thurs.
• North Avondale/Woodlawn—Our STAIR site at Independent Presbyterian Church serves 25 children from Gibson Elementary School Mon/Wed.
• Norwood—Our STAIR site sponsored by the Norwood Resource Center and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church serves 10 children from Norwood Elementary School Tues/Thurs.
• Woodlawn—Our YWoodlawn site sponsored by the YWCA Central Alabama serves 10 children from Oliver Elementary School Tues/Thurs.

Visit our web site at http://www.stairbirmingham.org

Contact us at stair@ipc-usa.org