Indy Reads envisions 100% literacy for all.
Our mission is to build the literacy, English language, and job readiness skills to empower adults and their families to reach their full potential.
Student-Centered
We adapt our curriculum to meet the needs of individual students to ensure they can envision their own paths forward.
Inclusive
We create welcoming environments where students, volunteers, and supporters from diverse backgrounds gather.
Innovative
Both forward-thinking and flexible, we model best practices in adult education and nonprofit management, aspiring to excellence in everything we do.
Literacy
Our programs help people develop basic literacy skills (reading, writing, speaking and comprehending) and apply them in all aspects of their lives.
From our Chief Executive Officer
Our 2023-2024 program year marks the 40th anniversary of Indy Reads! Since 1984, this organization has led the way for bringing Hoosiers together to learn from and with each other to elevate English literacy and language skills for all.
In our ruby anniversary year, we served 413 adult learners in our adult education programs who dedicated 22,975 hours to their education in our Community Classrooms. Throughout this report, you will see the impact of those hours spent on developing reading and English language skills, earning High School Equivalency diplomas, gaining hands-on experience in our workforce certifications programs, and shining as leaders in our community bookstore programming.
Launched 12 years ago, our community bookstore welcomed nearly 22,000 visitors celebrating the joy of literacy. It is humbling and motivating to see this engagement in our space. Our wide-ranging initiatives include our book club, our student-led Spanish Conversation Circles, our dedicated free and pay-what-you-can book selections, and hosting difficult conversations with our neighbors. Indy Reads’ community bookstore has emerged as a reflection of our Community Classrooms—it is a safe, inclusive place that makes literacy accessible, engaging, and relevant to all, regardless of birthplace, race, education level, religion, socioeconomic status, or age.
Forty years ago, Indy Reads was founded by a group of volunteers and librarians determined to continue a volunteer tutoring program that helped adults develop their foundational reading skills, one adult and tutor pairing at a time. Since then, we have evolved to meet the growing and expanding needs of adults and their families, offering certifications, diplomas, and a classroom model that empowers students to learn from each other and teachers to learn from their students. Our program model is sought after by adult learners who tell us we are the first place they feel seen; the first place someone has believed in them. We are honored to be that place for our community—and we commit ourselves to be worthy of this honor.
We see our students, 96% of whom are immigrants, people of color, and/or people living below 200% of the federal poverty level, as the biochemists, teachers, essential healthcare personnel, service providers, lawyers, parents, artists, and entrepreneurs they are. By growing our understanding of who our students are and what becomes possible for individuals, families, and communities with literacy, we are better able to serve our entire community with student-centered pedagogy, and programming that promotes agency for us all.
Still, 1 in 6 adults in Central Indiana are unable to read above a fifth-grade level. Last year, we saw a 94% increase in student demand for Indy Reads programming. There is much more to do to advance social equity through literacy in our state, and we cannot do it alone.
As was our practice 40 years ago, it is only thanks to our dedicated team of staff, teachers, board members, and volunteers who uplift each of our adult learners and community programs that we are able to bring our mission to life. In particular, it is thanks to a record 321 volunteers who last year demonstrated their commitment to literacy for all, giving 7,360 hours of service as tutors, bookstore helpers, and behind the scenes supporters of administrative and special projects.
There is something special about the magic that is Indy Reads. We are what we are, because you are part of our community. Thank you for being a part of Indy Reads, for supporting us for 40 years, and for helping us to launch the next 40 years of literacy for all!
— Ruba Marshood
Chief Executive Officer
“They threw me through the [public education] system, but I couldn’t really read or write or do math. [With Indy Reads,] I’m already reading a little better. The teacher sticks with me. We’re reading a Martin Luther King, Jr. book right now. He was a great leader, and I am really enjoying it!”
— Jeanenne B., Literacy Foundations Student
Our Impact in 2023-2024
22,975
cumulative hours students dedicated to their Indy Reads education this year.
88%
of students who completed their High School Equivalency (HSE) exams earned their diplomas.
92%
of students who completed their certification program earned their credential.
84%
of students who were post-tested made at least one Educational Functioning Level gain.
Our Community
413
students served across
20 course offerings.
96%
of students are immigrants, people of color, and/or living below 200% of the federal poverty line.
48%
of students have children under the age of 18.
48
different countries of origin are represented by our student body. Top five: 1. United States, 2. Mexico,
3. Haiti, 4. Venezuela and
5. Colombia.
35
different primary languages are represented in our student body. Top five: 1. Spanish, 2. English,
3. Haitian Creole, 4. French and 5. Kinyarwanda.
≈ 22,000
people visited Indy Reads.
2,858
people participated in 254 community bookstore programs.
“One issue that we have as newcomers to the United States from another culture, is getting to know everything about the US. I didn’t have any idea about American books, and it is good to know now, especially so that I know them for my kids. We need to know what they are doing and reading and learning. The environment at the bookstore is so friendly. I enjoy Indy Reads’ commitment to community empowerment. As a Bookstore Associate, I appreciate the opportunity to interact with diverse indi-viduals and support their literacy journeys.”
— Zeynab ‘Sarah’ Hoveyzeh, Customer Service Skills Program Graduate and Bookstore Associate
Our Programs
Literacy Foundations
These in-person classes are designed to support the 1 in 6 adults in central Indiana who cannot read above a 5th-grade level develop basic reading and writing skills. Indy Reads is the only adult education organization in the region that formally serves these students.
Pathway to Literacy (ELL Literacy Foundations)
In partnership with Immigrant Welcome Center, these classes serve adults at the most beginning literacy level in their native languages. This course supports ELL students with 6 years or fewer of formal schooling in any language.
English Language Learning (ELL)
Our fastest growing program, ELL classes support adult learners at all levels of the English literacy spectrum as they develop their speaking, listening, reading, writing, and comprehension skills to unlock their economic and social potential. We also offer weekly ELL Conversation Circles open to the public in our community bookstore.
High School Equivalency (HSE)
11% of Hoosier students did not graduate from high school in 2023. Our HSE classes cover all 5 subjects in the HiSET exam (reading, writing, math, social studies, and science), preparing students to earn their HSE diploma.
Customer Service and
Paraprofessional Certifications
Our industry-recognized Paraprofessional and Customer Service certifications help adults in Indiana stand out in today’s competitive job market and across sectors. Customer Service trainees can complete a paid internship in our community bookstore.
“I’m a dancer in the Indianapolis Ballet. I also work in a restaurant. My sister and mother are also in Indy Reads’ ELL class. My advice is that the more you talk to people, the faster it happens, the faster you speak English. But it’s hard to start. It is hard to start when you are many years old. We are so thankful for Indy Reads’ teachers and volunteers. They are amazing and very patient.”
— Camilo Santiesteban, English Language Learning Graduate
Download the full Indy Reads FY 2023-2024 Impact Report
Available now as a downloadable PDF, this Impact Report details more about who we serve, our impact, and highlights stories from our community.
You will find:
- A timeline of Indy Reads’ history
- More highlights from the year
- Stories from our students and volunteers
- Photos from our community events and programs
- Updates on volunteers and staff
- Sponsors and partners, plus donors
- and more!
Community Bookstore
Our independent bookstore in Fountain Square makes the joy of reading accessible to all with a wide selection of both new and affordable used books. We welcomed nearly 22,000 visitors this year!
We gratefully accept used book donations on the first Friday of each month and new book donations for our free Banned Bookshelf, a new initiative this year.
Proceeds from bookstore sales and events help to keep our adult education programs tuition-free for students. Learn more about book donations.
As Indiana author Ross Gay writes, “A good little bookstore is a laboratory for our coming together.”
Programs this year
- Poetry & More Open Mic Night
- ELL Conversation Circles
- Spanish Conversation Circles
- World Book Day
- Multilingual Reading
- Drag Story Hour
- Art and Writing Workshops
- Big Chair Story Time
- The Indie Indy Book Crawl
- Summer Reading Club
- Community Discussion with JVP Indiana
- The Indy Reads
- Book Club
- The Bookworm Bash
- Meet and Greet with Kwanzaa Claus
- and more!
2,858
people attended
254
bookstore programs
“I realized, even though I’m a go-getter, that I’m 44 years old. I’m not going to be able to keep doing labor, even though I like to stay busy and use my hands. I figured that it was time to get my life back. If I can spend 16 hours a week in the gym, working on my body, then I can spend 16 hours a week working on my mind. During class, if I told David, the teacher, there was something I needed help with, he would put us in a breakout room and we would work on it. David’s a really good teacher! If you tell him that you are lacking in something, he’ll help you with it and then you get confident in it.”
— Bill M., High School Equivalency Graduate
Highlights from the Year
August 2, 2023
Indy Reads Selected as Gen Con Charity Partner
More than 70,000 people attended this 4-day convention. We were given a free booth space, received half of all proceeds from official Gen Con charity events, and had a fabulous time bringing literacy to the world’s largest tabletop gaming convention!
November 9, 2023
Pedagogy of the Oppressed Staff Training
As a student-centered, literacy and learning organization, we dedicated the last program year to a study of Paolo Friere’s Pedogogy of the Oppressed. With thanks to Frierian scholar, Dr. Brandon D. Cosby, for facilitating an all staff book discussion, we continued the professional development all year, including with our board, and it is still ongoing!
February 19, 2024
Presidents’ Day Book Giveaway
Thanks to our partners, the Central Indiana Community Foundation, the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, and Teachers’ Treasures, Indy Reads facilitated the distribution of 31,510 children’s books to 39 schools and organizations in Indiana.
April 18, 2024
Ruby Slippers 40th Anniversary Breakfast
400 community members joined us to celebrate 40 years of Literacy for All at Ivy Tech Community College Conference Center. Co-host Rashidah Johnson (HSE, Class of 2022) and speakers Lacha Santiesteban (ELL student), Jeffrey Young (HSE student), Camilo Santiesteban (ELL student), and Katleeanna Harris (HSE, Class of 2023), made it a particularly powerful morning.
May 30, 2024
End of Year Class Parties
Indy Reads students celebrated their achievements at class parties. With a 45% increase in students served this year, we had a lot to celebrate!
Past Impact and Financial Reports
- Impact Report FY 2022-2023 [PDF]
- Impact Report FY 2021-2022 [PDF]
- Impact Report FY 2020-2021 [PDF]
- 990 financial report for 2022 [PDF]
- 990 financial report for 2021 [PDF]
- 990 financial report for 2020 [PDF]
“I want to build a strong community by helping others. Right now, Ms. Lauren and all the volunteers help me. They help me, and I want to help other students. You have to help others. I think that is what life is.”
Elsmani N., English Language Learner (ELL) student
