Read to Grow JoCo
Building a Community That Reads Together
The Partnership for Children of Johnston County leads the Read to Grow JoCo Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, a county wide initiative focused on improving 3rd grade reading proficiency by reducing chronic absence, increasing school readiness skills, and increasing free out of school learning opportunities.
Established in 2021, Read to Grow is working hard to connect resources, develop initiatives, and achieve the targets and milestones set to impact the 3 pillars of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading: out of school learning, school readiness, and attendance.
Our vision is that all Johnston County stakeholders are engaged in the effort to continuously ensure each child in our diverse and growing community reads proficiently by 3rd grade, develops a love for reading, a thirst for knowledge, and unlocks their full potential for success in school and life.
Interested in joining Read to Grow? Contact us using the button below. Make sure to include your full name, email address, phone number, and mention your interest.
- We value collaboration as we come together to work towards common goals.
- We value clear and consistent communication.
- We value family voice and engaging families in our work using a strength-based approach.
- We value using an Equity lens in all of our decision making.
- We value making data informed decisions.
- We value whole child health and wellness that starts prenatally
Why Reading Matters
Reading Opens the Door to Opportunity
Children who read proficiently by third grade are more likely to succeed in school and in life.
Read to Grow JoCo works to ensure every child develops strong literacy skills early on — by connecting families, educators, and resources that make reading fun and accessible from birth through elementary school.
85% of brain development happens before age 5
Children who are read to daily start school with stronger vocabularies
Community reading programs boost confidence and parent engagement
Our Community Approach
Growing Readers Takes a Village
Read to Grow JoCo is powered by collaboration.
Through partnerships with Johnston County Public Schools, local libraries, Smart Start, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, County wide Parks and Rec, Housing Authorities, JC Public Health Dept, County Commissioners, Head Start, Salvation Army, Junior Women’s League, Town Councils, Boys and Girls Club, Faith Leaders, Business Professionals, Parents and Community Members we’re creating a network of support for families and children.
Together, we’re tackling barriers like:
- Access to age-appropriate books
- School readiness
- Chronic absenteeism
- Summer learning loss
How You Can Get Involved
Your Support Helps Kids Fall in Love With Reading
There are so many ways to make an impact — from donating books and volunteering at events, to reading aloud with children in your life.
We need YOU to partner with us to build a reading community because every child deserves to read on grade level
Ideas for Engagement:
- Like and Share our Read to Grow JoCo Facebook Page
- Volunteer at Read to Grow Events
- Host a Book Drive
- Join an Action Team
Together, We’re Making Progress
Celebrating Success Across Johnston County
Since launching in 2021, Read to Grow has distributed thousands of books, hosted Child Wellness Events, facilitated Kindergarten Readiness Nights, distributed thousands of attendance flyers to families, hosted attendance poster contests, collaborated with the county to ensure hundreds of children read during the summer with their adopted stuffed pet, and implemented summer literacy infusion programs to maintain reading levels over the summer. We are proud of the progress we have made – and know we are committed to ensure every child reads successfully by the end of 3rd grade.