Cate’s Read Right Story

For *Cate, the journey to becoming a confident reader took time.

When she first came to Thornwell’s Read Right program, she was three grade levels behind in reading comprehension. She wasn’t convinced she needed help — and she made that clear.

I’m only here because they are making me. I already know how to do what they’re making me do!”

Still, Cate kept showing up. Her Read Right Tutor sat with Cate, offering never-ending patience and encouragement. Cate experienced the steady commitment of people who believed in her with every 50-minute session with her tutor — even when she wasn’t quite ready to believe in herself.

Then, changes in her living situation interrupted her time at Read Right.

A year and a half later, Cate returned to Thornwell. And this time, she came back to Read Right because she wanted to. She was ready to work. Ready to accept help. Ready to finish what she had started.

The final stretch wasn’t easy. But Cate kept showing up and worked her heart out. With the support of her tutor, she continued moving forward until she reached the highest reading level in the Read Right program.

In May, surrounded by her friends, Teaching Parents, and Read Right staff and tutors, Cate received her Read Right graduation certificate.

Read Right staff remember that moment:

Never has such a bright, genuine, head-to-toe smile been seen as the one she wore that day. She is now a confident, inquisitive, excellent reader, and she will walk into her future knowing the value of hard work and persistence.”

After three cumulative years in Read Right, Cate left not only as a graduate, but as a confident reader ready to take the next step in her journey.

Her story is a reminder that growth doesn’t always happen on a straight path. Sometimes, it takes time. Sometimes, it takes a second chance. And sometimes, it takes people who keep showing up until a child is ready to believe in what they can do.

*While this story is based on true experiences, names have been changed to protect privacy.