Reading Partners history

By 2000, with a growing number of immigrants making New York City their home, the organization again shifted to embrace a greater emphasis on teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages.

2001: Our three founders recruited a dedicated group of volunteers to tutor students at a local elementary school—these volunteers quickly recognized the powerful effect of one-on-one attention and in 2001 YES Reading was incorporated as a 501(c)(3)

2004: YES Reading hires first full-time executive director and expands to second school site at Selby Lane Elementary in Redwood City

2007: Program expands to serve schools in the Oakland/East Bay area

2008: YES Reading expands to serve San Francisco schools

2009: Reading Partners begins serving students in Sacramento, CA

2010: Reading Partners expands to Washington, DC, our first expansion outside of CA

2011: Reading Partners expands to New York City

2012: Reading Partners expands to Baltimore, MD, Dallas, TX (January), and to Denver, CO (August)

With the appointment of Executive Director Anthony Tassi in 2013, and following an extensive strategic planning process, Literacy Partners refocused its mission on serving the needs of low-income and immigrant parents of young children.

2014: Reading Partners expands to serve students in Seattle, WA

2015: Reading Partners expands to serve students in Twin Cities, MN, Charlotte, NC

2017: Reading Partners is recognized as a best practice honoree by the Library of Congress

2018: Reading Partners adopts a new strategic plan

2019: Reading Partners celebrates 20 years of impact and introduces a new logo

2020: Reading Partners quickly adapts to the widespread disrupted learning caused by COVID-19, successfully developing and implementing an innovative online tutoring platform called Reading Partners Connects