- The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
- The School District of Philadelphia
In 2012, we have worked with more than 100 local business leaders, but we are always happy to form new partnerships in new areas! Preparing children to read and excel in school is a great way to support a community. If your organization would be interested in helping to bring the Read to Me ELP™ to your community, please contact us.
We also look for ways to help business leaders connect with local classrooms and experience first-hand the difference that reading aloud to children can make. In 2004, with the support of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, we invited nearly 50 local business leaders to visit classrooms and read to 1,100 schoolchildren. Since then hundreds more have done so every school year. Participants found this to be a
highly rewarding experience!
“I couldn’t think of any greater pay off than looking in the eager faces of those young students as they listened intently to every word of each story. The School District’s educators do a tremendous job of engaging children in the learning process; but it helps to have caring business executives spend time with the children and inspire them further. It is an experience that I will cherish forever and an experience the children also will never forget.” - Mark S. Schweiker, Former President and chief executive officer of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
We are very grateful to the many partners and supporters who have helped the Read to Me ELP™ reach more children. In particular, we would like to thank the partners who have been instrumental in our growth in the Philadelphia area since 2003!
“Recognizing that our region depends on high-quality schools that prepare every student for success in the workplace or college, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce has made a significant commitment over the last several years to the education and employment prospects of our youth. Most notably, working with our partners, we have established the Read to Me ELP™ for kindergarten and pre-K students… Read to Me has helped more than 6,000 district students with book collections, teacher training, parent/caregiver workshops, and classroom visits.”
- Rob Wonderling, President and chief executive officer of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce in the Philadelphia Inquirer, July 15, 2012