Hello !

My name is Jaime, and I’m the founder of ReadingRootsDC, a new community initiative dedicated to improving literacy and fostering a love of reading among underserved youth in Washington, DC!

We’re raising funds to provide personalized reading tutoring, books, and educational resources to children who need them most. Your support will help us build programs, train volunteers, and create opportunities for kids to develop strong reading skills that open doors to success in school and beyond.

Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference in a child’s life. Thank you for helping us turn the page toward a brighter future!

A Little About Me and How This Idea Came To Life

My child struggled with speech from an early age, and reading became an uphill climb that tested both of us. I thought it would be simple, more practice, a few extra lessons, but the words didn’t come easily. Each night, I would see the disappointment in their eyes, and each morning I’d push myself to try again.

That journey lit a fire in me. Working in childcare had already shown me how differently children learn, how one size never fits all, and how confidence is the secret ingredient to every milestone. My time in AmeriCorps deepened that understanding. It taught me how community service, patience, and persistence can change lives.

I began to see reading not just as a skill, but as a lifeline, one that could open doors, shape futures, and give children a voice in the world. The idea of helping more kids started as a passing thought, something small, almost silly. But the more families I met who were quietly struggling, the more I knew I couldn’t just sit back.

ReadingRootsDC grew out of that moment. A desire to combine my personal experience, my professional background, and my love for service into something meaningful. What began as a single table in my home became a mission: to help children unlock the words they’ve been holding inside, and to make sure no parent ever feels like they have to face this journey alone.

This isn’t just a nonprofit.

It’s my life’s work, shaped by the city I love, the kids I’ve cared for, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

When you give to ReadingRootsDC, you’re not just donating, you’re planting seeds of confidence, literacy, and opportunity that will grow for years to come.