About Us
Celebrating more than 20 years of service to Bay Area children & families. The Bay Area Jewish Coalition for Literacy (JCL) was launched in 1999. In that time, weâve reached approximately 19,000 children and trained thousands of tutors.
The National JCL was founded in Boston by Leonard Fein in response to President Clinton's 1997 America Reads initiative, to ensure that every student could read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
Our local JCL launched in 1999 and grew to partner with 50 schools, along with after-school programs and family-serving organizations. We owe a debt of gratitude to our thousands of tutors, dedicated staff, and the leadership of prior directors Maureen Sullivan, Roberta Rothman, and Randi Fields.
The JCL director and regional program managers collaborate with consulting literacy trainers to provide initial training, frequent continuing education opportunities, and resources.
We believe that all children deserve to have the tools for lifelong learning. For emerging readers in under-resourced schools, a consistent, caring, 1:1 relationship with a reading tutor is essential.
Tutors create a safe learning space, and structure their sessions to pique studentsâ curiosity. This enhances kidsâ self-confidence and helps them grow as readers and learners. We also partner with parents to support their childrenâs reading and school success.
Leadership
The Bay Area JCL operates in three regions: San Francisco, East Bay, and Peninsula/Marin.
Consultants
âOur world is not working the way it was meant to. Our task and our privilege is to help repair it.â
National JCL Founder
â Leonard Fein
Supporters
JCL is grateful to the generous institutional and individual funders (some of whom are listed here) that make our work possible. With their support, JCL has become a more community-connected, effective organization as we weather and thrive in the current storm and prepare for even greater impact in the post-pandemic era.
