At Easterns Automotive Group, we believe investing in our community means investing in the future. And there’s no future without literacy.

Recent studies paint a stark picture. In some school systems, up to 75% of students of color are reading below grade level. That’s not just a statistic. It’s a crisis. And it’s one Our Kids Read is tackling with heart, purpose, and results.

We recently had the chance to learn more about this mission from Jahmal Lake, Executive Director of Our Kids Read, during his interview with Shannon Lilly. What they’re doing is revolutionary. From virtual reading mentorships to brick-and-mortar access to free books, this nonprofit is reshaping what literacy access can look like in underserved communities.

In partnership with Scholastic and the Baltimore Community Foundation, Our Kids Read opened the nation’s first free bookstore at Eastpoint Mall in Dundalk. Already, it has served nearly 600 children, and they plan to reach 500 more by summer’s end. This isn’t charity. It’s change.

Their secret weapon? A data-driven model and two core programs. One of them, Community Buddies, matches students with volunteers who read with them virtually. Want to help? You can sign up to be a reading buddy directly on their website. Just a few minutes a week could change a child’s future.

The big question they’re asking is one we all should be: How do we get kids to put down the tablets and pick up a book? Their answer? Meet them where they are with stories that reflect their identities and passions.

At Easterns, we love to shine a spotlight on people doing the real work. That’s why we donated $2,200 to help Our Kids Read continue fueling their mission. When it comes to literacy, we’re not just turning the page. We’re helping write a better chapter.