The Children’s Reading Alliance focuses on advancing children’s literacy in Doña Ana County. Because it has been proven that reading daily with children and having books in the home leads to success in school, we promote the message “Read with a child every day” and support programs designed to place books in the hands of families. 

MISSION

Empowering families and communities to build a culture of literacy so that all children can read, learn, and thrive.

Vision

A future where children in southern New Mexico enter school ready to learn and continue to build strong reading skills, opening doors to lifelong success.

Our story

The Children’s Reading Alliance (CRA) is a 13-year-old literacy nonprofit based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, dedicated to empowering families and communities through literacy. Founded on the belief that reading is the foundation for success, CRA has focused on early childhood literacy, parent engagement, and volunteer-driven reading programs.

Through its core initiatives, CRA equips parents with the tools to be their child’s first teacher, supports third graders in public schools through volunteer reading sessions, and distributes books to families in need. The First Teacher/Primer Maestro™ program is a bilingual, six-week course that builds parents’ confidence in preparing their children for kindergarten. Meanwhile, Reading Buddies pairs volunteers with students to enhance reading fluency and comprehension. CRA also advocates for literacy at the community level, ensuring that children have access to books and the support necessary to develop strong reading habits.

Since its inception, CRA has served over 1,100 families through First Teacher/Primer Maestro™ and reached thousands more through its literacy programs. Moving forward, CRA aims to expand its direct services, strengthen community partnerships, and advocate for literacy policies that benefit children and families.

Why it Matters

Children who are not reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. In low-income communities, that number triples. In New Mexico, only 24% of fourth graders are proficient in reading—one of the lowest rates in the nation.

Without early literacy intervention, the cycle of poverty and limited opportunity continues. But we know what works. When we empower parents to become their child’s first and most important teacher, we see children enter school with confidence, curiosity, and foundational literacy skills. When community members read one hour a week with a child, reading proficiency rises. When we invest in early literacy, the return is not just academic—it’s economic, social, and generational.

If we act now, we can ensure that more children in our community start school ready to succeed, stay on track, and graduate prepared to thrive. The cost of doing nothing is too high. The reward of showing up together is transformative.

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