Stephanie is a single mother of two living at CHW’s Paradise Creek Community in National City. During afterschool hours while she is at work, her 11 year old son Santiago is at Study Stars where he has been coming since he was in kindergarten. He is now one of the best students in his class and continues to learn from his mom, who brings the day’s unsold baked goods back to Paradise Creek for any of her neighbors in need to enjoy. As Stephanie says, “We are grateful for everything that is given to us. It’s also important to give back from what you have.”

About 34% of children across the country are reading below grade level – but not Santiago, and with your help, not any other child who lives in a CHW affordable housing community. Reading is not just one of the great joys of life, it is a necessary ingredient in the recipe of success. As we close out Read Across America Week, your gift – which will be doubled by a generous donor — can open up the world for a child one delectable and delightful page at a time.