Building a Love of Literacy at Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin

In Sonoma County, only 40% of 3rd graders are reading at grade level (SCOE, 2024). This is a critical concern because by the end of 3rd grade, children shift from learning to read to reading to learn. Without strong reading skills at this turning point, kids can fall behind across all subjects, impacting confidence, academic success, and future opportunities.

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin, we believe every child deserves the tools to thrive — and literacy is at the heart of that mission. Through our Early Learner Reading Program, Club kids build not only reading skills like phonics and vocabulary, but also social-emotional skills, curiosity, and confidence.

This fall, our staff are teaming up with Springboard Collaborative, a national organization dedicated to closing the literacy gap by 4th grade. Together, we’re implementing Springboard’s 5–10 week literacy playbook at five pilot Clubs, where 52 staff members will work with more than 400 children in PreK–3rd grade. This proven approach helps kids stay on track and develop a love for reading that lasts a lifetime.

At the same time, we’ve launched the Reading Race Across Sonoma County, led by Program Services Manager Jenny Meeker. The challenge encourages kids to read three books a week, totaling 100 books a year. Across all our Clubs, that’s the potential for more than 2,700 books read annually.

“Our goal is to inspire our Members to fall deeply in love with books — not just through the words on the page, but through the transformative experience of being read to,” says Meeker.

From reading circles, where kids share stories together and build vocabulary through discussion, to book-themed centers that turn stories into hands-on activities, our programs make literacy fun, interactive, and meaningful.

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin, we know the literacy gap is real — but we also know the solution lies in creating engaging, joyful opportunities to read. With the support of our dedicated staff and partners like Springboard Collaborative, we’re making sure more kids can open the door to learning, opportunity, and a brighter future.