Indianapolis, IN — (March 23, 2022) The Nora Roberts Foundation, created in 2001 by Nora Roberts as an avenue of support for organizations promoting and encouraging literacy, children, the arts, and humanitarian efforts, has awarded Indy Reads a $4,000 grant. The grant supports Indy Read’s High School Equivalency curriculum transition from the TASC certification exam […]
Indy Reads Receives $10,000 Grant from the Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation
Indianapolis, IN — (December 17, 2021) The Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation, a foundation that upholds the founders’ charitable traditions and continues their commitment to improving the quality of life in the greater Indianapolis area, has awarded Indy Reads a $10,000 grant. This grant was awarded to Indy Reads to expand its new High […]
An Open Letter to Our Indy Reads Community
Empowering adults and families through English literacy is at the very core of what makes us Indy Reads. As a member of our community, you’ve been a huge part of that mission. Whether you’ve volunteered with us, followed our student stories on social media, donated, spent time in the Indy Reads bookstore, or attended our […]
Indy Reads Appoints New CEO, Ruba Marshood of the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
Indianapolis, IN — (November 17, 2021) Indy Reads announced today that it has selected a new Chief Executive Officer, Ruba Marshood, who will be transitioning into the role in early December. After a robust and inclusive national search, the Indy Reads Board of Directors is confident that Marshood will continue the stewardship that the current […]
Indy Reads Awarded $80,000 from United Way of Central Indiana
Indianapolis, IN — (November 3, 2021) Indy Reads has been awarded an $80,000 Family Opportunity Fund 2Gen Capacity Building Grant from the United Way of Central Indiana. The grant was made possible through a grant from the IU Health Foundation. Funds will be used to support the refining of the organization’s 2Gen education program. United […]
Indy Reads to Reopen Their Bookstore in Fountain Square on November 5th
Indianapolis, IN — (November 1, 2021) Indy Reads announced today that they will reopen at 1066 Virginia Avenue on Friday, November 5, 2021. The building, formerly the Fountain Square Branch of the Indianapolis library, is primed to be an essential part of the thriving Indianapolis literary scene and a new home to literacy, English language, […]
Indy Reads Receives $15,000 Indiana Humanities Operating Support Grant
Indy Reads Receives $15,000 Indiana Humanities Operating Support Grant Indianapolis, IN — (October 27, 2021) Indy Reads has been awarded an Operating Support grant of $15,000 from Indiana Humanities with funds from the American Rescue Plan. The grant provides funding to humanities organizations adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Indy Reads is one of […]
A Message from Indy Reads CEO, Ryan King
Dear Friends of Indy Reads, With your support and the dedication of a brilliant team of staff, AmeriCorps Members, and volunteers, Indy Reads has been able to significantly expand our services and build the strongest financial foundation we’ve had in our 37-year history. After five years as a steward of the Indy Reads vision, 100% […]
Indy Reads Receives $25,000 Grant from The Indianapolis Foundation
The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate, has granted Indy Reads with a $25,000 award to support the operation of their adult education programs. We are so appreciative of this support and the impact it will have on our students and community. “Indy Reads helps adults gain skills that can change the trajectory of […]
Happy New Year! Fountain Square Update
Happy New Year! Today marks the first day of 2021 and the continuation of many exciting adventures. We want to say a special thank you for faithfully supporting us through online sales these past few months and into the new year. Spending your dollars through our online store is making a big difference and is […]
Is It A Bird or A Dinosaur?
Do you know which group of animals are the only living, direct descendants of dinosaurs? Crocodiles? Nope! Komodo dragons? Nope! Other large lizards or snakes? Guess again! Birds are the answer! The fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex shares a huge amount of DNA with modern-day chickens, believe it or not! Birds in general are currently believed to […]
Indy Library Board Sets Timetable for Fountain Square Branch Transition
The Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees has given preliminary approval to the closing of the Fountain Square Branch in May 2020, as part of the Library’s long-range plan announced in 2015 to relocate services to the new West Perry Branch, scheduled to open in mid-2021. The recommendation by the Library’s Facilities Committee on February […]
Meet Dawt: IndyGo’s Student of the Month!
Many of our students realize that reading, speaking and understanding English is important to many facets of their lives. For them, coming to Indy Reads to build their language skills is about changing their lives in ways that help their children grow and their families thrive. This month’s IndyGo Student of the Month, Dawt Sung, […]
Meet our IndyGo Student of the Month – Cleon!
Students in our Community Classrooms come from a variety of backgrounds and bring their own experiences and perspectives with them. These perspectives contribute to the diverse community environment that make our classrooms unique. This month’s IndyGo Student of the Month, Cleon Bell, brings happiness and optimism to class every week. Cleon grew up in Jamaica, […]
Indy Reads Awarded Grant from The Indianapolis Foundation
Indy Reads has been awarded a $40,000 grant from The Indianapolis Foundation, a Central Indiana Community Foundation affiliate. The award will be used to support the Community Classrooms program. Adult learners in the program are offered free literacy, ELL, and certifications classes. Each school year, adults have the opportunity to improve their reading, comprehension, and […]
Cooking with Confidence
One of my ongoing goals is to increase my cooking skills and eventually become a great cook. Learning how to cook is a great way to improve and maintain your health, save money, and try new dishes to challenge your taste buds and expand your palate. In college, I figured that I had to learn […]
Our IndyGo Student of the Month, Michael Cook, found his “safe haven” at Indy Reads
In our classrooms, students learn much more than the fundamentals of reading. Michael Cook, this month’s IndyGo Student of the Month, is learning how to find himself after years of dealing with drugs and addiction. He says, “It was like walking in the unknown and never finding your way out. Indy Reads is my way […]
A Taste of El Salvador
Do you know where the highest concentration of Salvadoran immigrants live in Indianapolis? If you guessed the Crooked Creek neighborhood near Michigan Road, you’re correct! I learned the answer last week at a free Lunch and Learn presentation on the country of El Salvador at the Michigan Road Library branch. The event series is a […]
Meet January’s IndyGo Student of the Month – Michelle!
For many of our students, choosing to come to Indy Reads is about much more than just learning how to read. Our students are often looking to find a better or more permanent job, increase their ability to read their own mail and pay their bills, or gain the skills to take their driver’s license […]
Silence Your Inner Critic: Write a book in 30 days
Writing the first draft of a novel is like playing with finger paints: messy, colorful and fun. Painting with our instinct, creating images of whatever we fancy without worrying what the grown-ups will say, allows us to find our voice, get to know our characters, and allow the story to unfold. While the Inner Critic […]