Nearly 100 boys and girls pour in the doors of Fairhope's Rotary Youth Club each afternoon, many with a singular focus: improving their reading skills.

Literacy has become a primary goal of the club post-pandemic as children nationwide fell behind grade level reading and math. The club's After-School Reading Tutor Program just received a significant boost thanks to an award targeting students in grades 4-6.

The project expansion will be funded by a $6,750 grant from The Fairhope/Point Clear Community Foundation, an affiliate of The Community Foundation of South Alabama. The funds will underwrite a certified reading specialist working with approximately 35 students reading below grade level.

"The club's after-school program has always been about homework support and academic achievement, not just recreation," RYC Board Chair Ed Hammele said. "Our priorities shifted toward literacy this past year, as we realized so many club members – like students across the board nationwide – were testing significantly below grade level in reading. With the South Baldwin Literacy Council, we've added reading coaches working with children one-on-one. The generous donors behind this grant are invaluable in reaching even more children who need us."

The RYC's after-school tutoring and homework support, like its pre-k program, offers measurable results. Student grades, attendance and academic confidence are tracked with area principals and with school standardized testing throughout the school year. Students are rewarded for reaching their goals of A and A/B Honor Roll at an Academic Awards Banquet each May.

"For 30 years, we've relied on the remarkable support of the Fairhope/Point Clear Rotary Clubs, United Way, City of Fairhope and so many other organizations who've provided grants, funding and volunteers," Hammele said. "We've consistently been able to improve facilities and add programs like the pre-k, summer academy, enrichment field trips and now a teen program and ACT prep. Grants like this one from CFSA help us target areas where our kids need us most. Academic confidence is the key building block for every child."