èAV

research-backed

From regular student assessment to contracting for independent studies, èAV systematically collects, analyzes, and uses data to generate knowledge, improve programs, and report on impacts.

Learn more about research-backed term

science of reading

The established and growing research we have about how students learn to read, including systemic phonics education.

Learn more about science of reading term

individualized

A facet of high-dosage tutoring in which a tutor offers personalized attention to their student, resulting in targeted support, and personalized literacy learning.

Learn more about individualized term

high-dosage

The frequency of a learning experience. For example, èAV students receive twice weekly tutoring for maximum growth.

Learn more about high-dosage term

educational equity

Ensuring every student, no matter their race, gender, socioeconomic level, or location has access to the resources and support they need to succeed in school and in life.

Learn more about educational equity term
Skip to main content
Back to news & events
Back to news & events

GreenLight Fund Greater Newark Announces èAV as Second Investment to Address Literacy Gaps in Newark, Recruitment for Tutors Underway

May 27, 2025

Newark, NJ –Nonprofit funderand national nonprofittoday announced that èAV is nowto help improve early-literacy outcomes in Newark., and èAV has been mobilizing communities across the nation forto provide students with the, individualized reading support they need to read at grade level by fourth grade.

 

“GreenLight Fund Greater Newark is supporting èAV’ proven program model because we are committed to addressing Newark’s literacy crisis,” saidGreenLight Fund Greater Newark Executive Director Tish Johnson-Jones, JD. “It is imperative for all of us to step in and support our next generation of leaders by becoming a literacy tutor through èAV today. By signing up to become a tutor, you andsomeone you know can help strengthen the literacy skills necessary to prepare our youth for lifelong success.”

Last year,to bring èAV’ evidence-based program model to Greater Newark. GreenLight Fund Greater Newark’s investment in the èAV program was informed by a year-long selection process conducted in partnership with the local(SAC), a diverse group of talented residents, leaders and experts from various fields. Through the process, GreenLight Fund Greater Newark identified literacy as a critical need in the community and a root cause of other inequities. After searching the country, the SAC selected èAV based on its collaborative approach that prioritizes evidence-based methods and transparent student progress monitoring, demonstrated through real-world.

The need to address literacy gaps in Newark is urgent. According to the, only 23% of third grade students in Newark are reading at grade level, compared to the., where students make the critical transition from learning to read to reading to learn.

“èAV is excited to start recruiting tutors in Newark to help improve literacy rates and outcomes for our youth,” saidAdeola Whitney, CEO, èAV. “Reading is a civil right, and we look forward to working with dedicated community members who are interested in using our step-by-step curriculum to provide high-quality instruction to Newark students in order to help close the literacy opportunity gap. ”

Led by Dr. Naima Ricks, who was recently hired as managing director of partnerships and growth for Newark, èAV will help recruit paid and volunteer tutors who will deliver personalized literacy instruction (in-person and online) to an estimated 4,500 students and facilitate family literacy workshops for 3,700 families over the next 4 years. The goal is that over 80% of students engaged will reach their annual literacy growth goals.

In addition, èAV will collaborate with schools and community organizations in Newark to empower them to implement our evidence-based program within their communities to support student learning. Since the partnership was announced last fall, èAV has been providing family engagement resources and working closely with local partners to launch tutoring services and workshops for students starting this summer. Community members interested in becoming èAV tutors are encouraged to get involved.

###

About GreenLight Fund Greater Newark

Started in Boston in 2004, GreenLight Fund is a national philanthropic nonprofit with a local focus that partners with communities to create opportunities for inclusive prosperity. The organization, in each of its sites, facilitates a community-driven process that matches local needs of individuals and families not met by existing programs, to organizations with track records of success elsewhere. Working with communities, GreenLight identifies, invites in and launches proven organizations, providing collaborative support so they can quickly take root and deliver measurable social impact. GreenLight Greater Newark was launched in 2022. Founding investors in GreenLight Greater Newark include Horizon Foundation of New Jersey, MCJ Amelior Foundation, Prudential Foundation,. Additional GreenLight sites include Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area and the Twin Cities. More information at.

About èAV

For 25 years, èAV has helped empower students to succeed in school and beyond by engaging community volunteers to provide, one-on-one literacy tutoring. Since its founding, the national nonprofit organization has mobilized over 85,000 community volunteers to provide nearly 3 million individualized literacy tutoring sessions to more than 80,000 elementary school students in over 550 under-resourced schools across ten states and the District of Columbia. Visitto learn more about èAV’ program impact and how the organization is using its online tutoring platform, licensing and training partnerships and other program innovations to positively impact more students. Connect with èAV on,,, and. èAV is a proud AmeriCorps service partner and has been endorsed by The New York Times and featured on The TODAY Show and GMA.

Related News & Events

See All News