INDIANAPOLIS – On Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 7:30am, Indy Reads will celebrate their ruby anniversary, and 40 years of advancing literacy for all, with a student-centered fundraising breakfast. Hosted at Ivy Tech Community College Culinary and Conference Center, The Ruby Slippers Breakfast will feature student and graduate speakers from some of the organization’s core adult education programs: High School Equivalency (HSE), English Language Learning (ELL), and workforce certifications. Indy Reads anticipates more than 300 attendees from all areas of their community, including students, volunteers, nonprofit and employer partners, local businesses, and more.
“Since our founding 40 years ago, Indy Reads has worked alongside adults at the most beginning levels of literacy and beyond to help them achieve their goals,” Ruba Marshood, Indy Reads’ chief executive officer said.
“What began as a one-on-one tutoring model where volunteers would meet with adult learners in Indianapolis Public Libraries and other community spaces to practice their reading skills, today serves nearly 300 adult learners each year from over 40 different countries in our Community Classrooms, guided by experienced instructors and trained volunteer tutors. We know the most effective way of improving literacy rates is with an uplifting community. Please join us for our Ruby Slippers Fundraising Breakfast on April 18th to celebrate our 40th anniversary and to launch the next 40 years of advancing 100% literacy for all!”
Founded in 1984, Indy Reads has been building English language, literacy, and job readiness skills to empower adults and their families throughout central Indiana for 40 years. In the last several years, it has refined and expanded its programs to address the growing demand for its services, opening in-person and virtual Community Classrooms to accommodate 300 adult learners each year. In 2021, Indy Reads opened a community bookstore in Fountain Square, which is now its center of operations, a site for some of its classes, and a space for more than 150 community & family programs annually.
To purchase tickets for the event or donate to our 40th anniversary campaign, advancing literacy for all for the next 40 years, visit www.indyreads.org/RubySlippers. We welcome organizations and businesses interested in sponsoring the Breakfast for our anniversary year to contact us at giving@indyreads.org!
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About Indy Reads
Indy Reads builds literacy, English language, and job readiness skills to empower adults and their families to reach their full potential. For 40 years, the nonprofit organization has worked toward a vision of 100% literacy for all. High literacy levels grant access to greater developmental, educational, civic, and career opportunities. Current statistics show that 1 in 6 adults in Indiana read at or below a fifth-grade level. Through its Community Classrooms and Programming, Indy Reads advances social equity through education, helping adult learners increase their English language and literacy proficiency, prepare for their High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma, and build workforce skills to improve their employability and advancement potential. Indy Reads is proudly one of few organizations that serves adults of all literacy skill levels, including the most beginning-level and beyond.