About Us

Our Case

In the U.S. today, a stark disparity exists between the reading abilities of low-income and higher-income children. Without intervention, the literacy gap only widens with time.

Research proves that reading aloud with children is the single most important activity for helping them become successful readers. By reading aloud with low-income students, we can help bridge the literacy gap.

The EVERYBODY WINS! equation is simple – one mentor, one child, one book at a time – but has a profound impact.

Our Roots

Founded in 1991 by Arthur and Phyllis Tannenbaum, EVERYBODY WINS! began as five volunteers reading on their lunch hours in one Manhattan school. Since then, it has grown into a national public-private partnership that provides structured one-on-one mentoring to low-income youth. Taking root in 16 states and Washington, DC, EVERYBODY WINS! has evolved from informal read-aloud sessions to four distinct literacy and mentoring programs: Power Lunch, Readers Are Leaders, Story Time and EW! Book Clubs.

Our Goal

Today, EVERYBODY WINS! affiliates are helping bridge the literacy gap for more than 9,200 public school students across the country. Our goal is to reach 100,000. We hope you share in our vision.

Everybody Wins!

• Children win by increasing their reading-related skills and discovering the joy of reading.
They also benefit from consistent, positive interaction with a caring adult.

• Volunteers win by experiencing the big impact that a small commitment – just an hour a week -
can make. EVERYBODY WINS! makes participation nearly effortless; students make it rewarding.

• Partnering organizations win by providing a well-managed, fulfilling volunteer opportunity for
their employees or members. EVERYBODY WINS! makes it easy to participate, coordinating all logistics
and providing training, supplies, supervision and support. By exercising civic responsibility, these
organizations bolster employee morale and teamwork skills, invest in the future workforce and gain
recognition for giving back to their communities.

• Educators win by adding a proven resource to their own efforts. EVERYBODY WINS! programs provide
individualized attention to the students who most need it, resulting in improved test scores, enhanced
reading interest and better behavior.