Welcome to The Bestow Foundation Your Solution For Childhood and Adult Literacy Development Literacy Literacy is more than the ability to read a book. It is the ability to open new worlds. While the ability to read is unquestionably a most basic skill for academic learning, there continues to be much disagreement among educators on how best to teach this critical tool. In the US, the primary emphasis of the Reading Excellence Act and Reading First is that all children will be reading at grade level by the end of third grade. At the present time, however, it is clear that because of the enormous diversity of students’ backgrounds and abilities, there are many who still find reading a challenge beyond that level, into middle school and high school. You will find in the articles and resources below many suggestions for helping students at all levels to become more successful readers, and we will continue to add information as it emerges from research and practice. Our Mission Cultivating a literate nation by leveraging the power of the family as a means for economic empowerment and community transformation. The Bestow Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the literacy skills of Chicago-area adults and families. The Bestow Foundation’s Motto: “Each One Teach One…” Reading is fundamental! At The Bestow Foundation, we specialize in helping children, students and parents achieve reading success. Teaching mothers, daughters, fathers and sons the English language, literacy and life skills at the same time is known as Family Literacy. Studies show that more adults stay enrolled in English classes as part of a family literacy program than do in adults-only programs. Through family literacy The Bestow Foundation tries to offset two of the surest predictors of academic failure: a low-income household and under-educated parents. Call us now to learn how we’re making reading part of a healthy lifestyle for men, women and children! Our Board of Directors The Bestow Foundation’s Board of Directors is a group of individuals committed to providing their expertise and guidance to our organizational activities. Our History The Bestow Foundation draws its history from several well-known Chicago-area literacy organizations: The Blue Gargoyle,which provides comprehensive community-based services including education, counseling and employment programs; and Literacy Works, a collaborative literacy training and support project of 50 member organizations operating literacy programs in more than 30 communities across Chicago. Its mission is to fulfill the promise of a basic human right: the right to read, write and interpret the world.