Read to a Child
Kaela Vronsky Mento's work experience includes holding the position of National VP of Program Management at Read to a Child since June 2013. Prior to this, from September 2008 to June 2013, they worked at Partners for Youth with Disabilities as the Mentoring and National Center Director. In this role, they directed a training and technical assistance program, improved mentor program policies, managed finances and grants, and supervised staff. Before that, they worked at Common Hope from July 2003 to June 2008, where they held various roles including Internal Management Consultant, Interim Site Director, and Youth Programs Coordinator. Kaela also worked at YWCA of Western MA as the Youth Groups Coordinator from 1996 to 2003 and at the Center for Human Development as the Case Coordinator for Family Mediations from February 1996 to June 1997.
Kaela Vronsky Mento completed their high school education at Albany High School from 1986 to 1988. Following this, they pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Peace and Conflict Studies at Guilford College, where they studied from 1990 to 1994. Continuing their educational journey, Kaela then attended the School for International Training from 2002 to 2005, where they obtained a Master of Arts degree in Sustainable Development/Development Management.
Read to a Child
Read to a Child is a national mentoring and literacy nonprofit founded on the belief that every child deserves to be read to regularly by a caring adult. When adults read aloud to children, both parties enjoy a rewarding experience that greatly increases the child’s literacy skills and opportunity for success in the future. It’s a simple activity with a huge impact. Research proves that reading aloud to children is the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading and, thus, likelihood for success in school and life. Read to a Child currently partners with more than 100 corporations and institutions nationwide that provide 1,500 volunteers who read aloud to more than 1,100 at-risk students in greater Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles and Miami, as well as urban centers in Connecticut. Astoundingly, 80% of 4th graders from low-income families in the United States are not proficient in reading and 26% will not graduate from high school. To combat this literacy crisis, Read to a Child enlists volunteer reading mentors to visit urban elementary schools once a week and read aloud one-on-one to children during lunch. This time spent with a caring adult ignites a love of reading in struggling children, while providing students with the skills and confidence to reverse the cycle of illiteracy.