Community Reading Buddies (CRB) aims to close the literacy gap that exists for children in Oakland by spreading the joy of reading. Through mentorship and evidence-based early literacy education, young students grow a love of reading, setting themselves up to succeed in further language development. Additionally, by working with East Bay youth as our mentors, middle and high school students build leadership skills and give back to their community.

Over the course of eight weeks, over 150 middle and high school "Youth Mentors" provide one-on-one literacy intervention to preK-3rd grade "Buddies" across three Oakland childhood development centers. Youth Mentors meet with their Buddies twice a week to work on early literacy foundations and support them in developing a genuine love of learning.