The Village Readers program, Empowerment Network’s community reading initiative, is turning classroom read-alouds into a broader strategy for literacy, mentorship and community engagement in Omaha elementary schools.
The program brings volunteers into classrooms to read with students, spark conversation and help make books a more meaningful part of the school day. The program also gives adults a simple, practical way to connect with young people while supporting one of the community’s urgent educational priorities.
Village Readers aligns with Omaha Public Schools’ Moonshot campaign, which centers on helping all students read at grade level and strengthening academic outcomes for the future. It also reflects Empowerment Network’s Transformation 2030 goal of ensuring 100% of students read on grade level, reinforcing a shared commitment to educational excellence.
“Village Readers is off to an amazing start,” says Curtis Morgan, My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) manager, Empowerment Network. “The program has reached nearly a dozen classrooms and has impacted between 160 and 180 students. Our goal is to expand to 12 elementary schools in North Omaha and use classroom reading as an entry point for deeper volunteer involvement.”
That next phase includes garnering the involvement of additional community partners and recruiting more one-on-one mentors to help schools build lasting relationships with students and families. The work also aligns with the MBK’s framework by encouraging academic growth, trusted adult relationships and school-community connections. The initiative supports long-term student success while helping create the safe, supportive environments young people need to thrive.
To participate, contact Curtis Morgan at Cmorgan@empoweromaha.com.