RE(ad) TREAT is an alliance of multiple justice-minded organizations in New Orleans committed to hosting a nomadic library for young people as they discover a love of reading while growing their imaginations,  flourishing emotionally, strengthening their communities, and practicing financial literacy.

At RE(ad) TREAT, we know that literacy rates correlate with proximity to libraries, and only 34% of New Orleans children are reading on grade-level. We are a drop-in nomadic library that hosts pop-ups in various neighborhoods. When children visit us, they have an opportunity to use reading support from volunteer Reading Buddies, earn rewards (including science kits and even bicycles), make new friends, and participate in our interactive group read-alouds. 

We hear from parents and we can see ourselves how excited children get when they visit us! Reading becomes 
a way to make friends and go home with rewards by earning tokens for completed books. If you are inspired 
by children having fun while learning, we would love to get you involved in one of two ways: 

(1) Become a volunteer Reading Buddy at a pop-up; we are always open to accepting volunteers  or 

(2) Provide credit. We ask supporters to provide credit to local bookstores for us to purchase brand-new books, 

so that every child every time can go home with books and build their own home library.

The details of the program can be broken down simply:
Youth are given a reading assessment aka "reading challenge" upon arrival
Youth are partnered with an adult volunteer
Youth read books to volunteers or are read to
Youth practice comprehension by giving an oral summary of the book
Youth earn “Cha-Ching Coins” for each book or chapter they complete
Youth redeem or save their "Cha-Ching Coins" for incentives
 - Small prizes include school supplies, books, other educational materials
 - Larger prizes include bicycles, science kits, and gift cards

The needs of the program are pretty basic, but building a space that feels welcoming is the intention.  

Find us on Instagram: @read.treat or scan our Linktree

Amazon Wishlist 

Funds will provide support for:
(Immediate needs)
U-Haul to pick up book donation in Monroe- $200
40 gallon wheeled bins for book storage (20) - $400
Plastic Crates (20) - $50
Washable rugs (2) - $50
Bean Bag Chairs/Stuffing (6) - $200
Customized Vinyl Sign - $100
Folding tables (2) - $150
Pop-up Canopy with Removable Walls - $200
Sanitizing Supplies - $50
Handtruck - $200
Printing budget for flyers- $200

(Later needs)
Book sets requested by the children - $300
Reading Rewards - $200
Science kits - $500
Storage unit - $150/month
Tablet Computer - $300
Volunteer T-shirts (20) - $400
Label maker - $40
Laminator - $30
Stipend for youth intern - $2000
Snacks for youth
Background Checks for Volunteers