PA Chamber Foundation, Southeast Delco School District, Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Host Read Alliance Event to Promote Early Literacy and Economic Growth

Last week, the PA Chamber Foundation teamed up with a powerful coalition of education, business, nonprofit, and government leaders at the Sharon Hill School to spotlight the critical link between early literacy, student success, and Pennsylvania’s long-term economic vitality.

The event, hosted by the PA Chamber Foundation in partnership with the Southeast Delco School District, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, and Read Alliance, brought together educators, students, elected officials, and community stakeholders for an inspiring afternoon focused on solutions.

The event marked the official launch of the Read Alliance program in the Southeast Delco School District earlier this year. Read Alliance, a nationally recognized literacy program, pairs early elementary students with trained high school tutors for one-on-one reading sessions. At Sharon Hill School, kindergarten, first- and second-graders are receiving personalized support from Academy Park High School students, creating a dual-impact model that boosts reading skills for young learners while building leadership and workforce readiness among teens.

The Read Alliance’s mission — to accelerate the educational trajectory of early elementary students through the power of teens who provide one-to-one literacy tutoring in under-resourced communities — aligns with the PA Chamber Foundation’s efforts to improve early literacy. Through the PA Chamber Foundation’s Keystone Initiative — a strategic effort to improve the state’s competitiveness — the PA Chamber is emphasizing how early childhood literacy is key to the long-term efforts to address workforce challenges. As nearly half of Pennsylvania’s public-school students struggle to read proficiently by third grade, organizations like the READ ALLIANCE are working to reverse this trend through evidence-based interventions.

“This is more than a reading program—it’s a workforce development strategy,” said PA Chamber Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Jon Anzur, who co-hosted the event on behalf of the PA Chamber Foundation. “By investing in literacy early, we’re laying the groundwork for a stronger, more competitive Pennsylvania.”

Event attendees visited classrooms and heard from school district leaders, Chamber representatives, and Read Alliance staff, who emphasized the program’s proven track record and the importance of community collaboration. The event also featured a demonstration of the tutoring model in action, showcasing the enthusiasm and engagement of both the young readers and their high school mentors.

To learn more about the Keystone Initiative and how it supports educational and economic advancement across the Commonwealth, visit www.pachamber.org/keystone_initiative.

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