YReads! Program
About the Program
YReads! is a free afterschool tutoring program that aims to improve reading skills, offered at select school locations throughout southern Pinellas County. The program provides kindergarten through eighth grade students with two hours of targeted, evidence-based literacy mentoring each week. Delivered by trained staff in individualized, one-on-one, small group, or whole group settings, this instruction builds critical reading foundations — strengthening phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and sight word recognition to help close early literacy gaps.
The program uses diagnostic and internal assessments, as well as parent and teacher surveys, to determine academic needs for each student in order to create an individualized learning plan to help each child reach their fullest potential.
Students are referred to the program by principals, teachers and other school staff. The YReads! program is open to students of the host school only.
Together with our families, schools and community partners, YReads! is closing the literacy gap and creating brighter futures one reader at a time.
In the News: YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg Delivers Impressive Results Through "YReads!" Program
In a heartening display of community collaboration and dedication to education, the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg's partnership with the Pinellas County School Board (PCSB) has yielded outstanding results in its YReads! literacy program. Read More»
School Locations
The YReads! program is open to students of the host school only.
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Bay Point Elementary
5800 22nd St. South
St. Petersburg, FL 33712Coordinator:
Hannah Merritt
[email protected] -
Bay Point Middle
2151 62nd Ave. South
St. Petersburg, FL 33712Coordinator:
Desiree Ward
[email protected] -
Bear Creek Elementary
350 61st St. South
St. Petersburg, FL 33707Coordinator:
Isabella Falen
[email protected] -
Douglas L. Jamerson Elementary
1200 37th St. South
St. Petersburg, FL 33711Coordinator:
Allegra Reissmann
[email protected] -
Lynch Elementary
1901 71st Ave. North
St. Petersburg, FL 33702Coordinator:
Mary Lindsey
[email protected] -
Northwest Elementary
5601 22nd Ave. North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710Coordinator:
Dalgis Mora
[email protected] -
North Shore Elementary
200 35th Ave. NE,
St. Petersburg, FL 33704Coordinator:
Madison Castellano
[email protected] -
Perkins Elementary
2205 18th Ave. South
St. Petersburg, FL 33712Coordinator:
Katie McQueen
[email protected] -
Pinellas Park Middle
6940 70th Ave. North
Pinellas Park, FL 33781Coordinator:
Liz Piquet
[email protected] -
Sawgrass Lake Elementary
1815 77th Ave. North
St. Petersburg, FL 33702Coordinator:
Taryn Jensen
[email protected] -
Sexton Elementary
1997 54th Ave. North
St. Petersburg, FL 33714Coordinator:
Suzanne Daniele
[email protected] -
Westgate Elementary
3560 58th St. North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710Coordinator:
Vikki Man
[email protected] -
Woodlawn Elementary
1600 16th St. North
St. Petersburg, FL 33704Coordinator:
Autumn Tilsworth
[email protected]
A FREE program made possible by
Work With Us and Help Kids Unlock the Power of Reading
Every child deserves to read at grade level — and you can help make it happen. Through YReads!, caring adults work one-on-one or in small groups with K–8 students who need extra support, building reading skills, confidence and a brighter future.
Paid Tutors
Turn your passion into purpose.
Join our team as a paid part-time tutor, providing direct literacy support to students and helping close the reading gap.
Highlights:
- Flexible part-time hours
- All training and materials provided
- Make a measurable impact on student success
Apply for a Paid Tutor Role
Volunteer Tutors
Just 2 hours a week can change a child's life.
As a volunteer tutor, you’ll help young students strengthen their reading, build self-esteem and develop a love for learning.
Requirements:
- At least 16 years old
- Online application, background check and fingerprinting
- Training provided at no cost
Become a Volunteer Tutor
Together, we can ensure every child has the tools to read, learn and thrive.
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and complete an online application, on-boarding and pass background checks and fingerprinting. All necessary training is provided. Join us - we wouldn't be able to accelerate student success without the help of our amazing volunteers!
