Our children are our treasure. Each one deserves every chance to reach their promise.

But some, like Megan, struggle before they even get started.

Like 80% of low-income children, Megan can’t read well enough to keep up with the other kids her age. And the statistics

say that if she can’t somehow learn to read at her grade-level by the time she’s in the third grade her chance of graduating from high school are extremely low.

Many people from all over the country have joined together in The Campaign For Grade-Level Reading to help Megan. But how can they all possibly work together to make a real difference for her.

Enter the Grade-Level Reading Huddle.

The Huddle is a social network that connects people in foundations, nonprofit profit partners, business leaders, government agencies, states and communities.

More importantly, it does it by creating a flexible, engaging environment where they can collaborate on specific ways to help Megan and her parents and teachers close the gap that threatens her future. And inhibits her promise.

The Huddle focuses on four action areas that are shown to make a difference in reading development. Readiness for school. Improving school attendance. Summer learning. Learning disabilities and health. Huddle members can share best practices, ask questions, get direction and suggestions from others, find research and tools in each area. They can join webinars, blog about their experiences, watch videos, attend events and find help and advice.

When we launched the Huddle we expected 25 communities to take part. But the word spread and 168 communities from 39 states are using it to connect and collaborate. That’s 1,495 people working together to help Megan, and children like her from all over the country, reach their promise.