When The Shadow Project puts accessible technology in the hands of students with learning challenges, it opens up a world of possibilities. One student, Chelsea, discovered the power of reading through our Reading Mentors program.

Chelsea, a fourth grader from Portland, was one of our Reading Mentor students this past school year. Chelsea enthusiastically participated in the program, especially when her mentor helped her discover books she could connect to.

Our Reading Mentors program pairs students with a mentor, who helps them navigate an audio visual library, Learning Ally. Their mentor also assists them in setting reading goals. When students meet their reading goals they get to celebrate their success by picking rewards. 

Chelsea was first excited with the opportunity to win prizes, but her ambitions changed when she realized: she really loved books! Chelsea quickly developed an interest in books about historical events or real people. She found herself interested in learning about what people, especially young girls like her, have experienced through history.

Her reading mentor saw her interest in historical characters, and started recommending books based on real people. Together, Chelsea and her mentor read books about girls through history who persevered in hard times. Chelsea became one of our most eager students and began completing reading goal after reading goal.

“I love books, they can take me anywhere in the world!” Chelsea told her Reading Mentor.

One of Chelsea’s favorite books was Sadako and The Thousand Paper Cranes, which follows the story of Sadako Sasaki, a real girl who lived in post-World War 2 Hiroshima. Chelsea loved the book and story so much that it inspired her to learn how to fold paper cranes. Her goal this summer is to travel with her mom to Peace Park in Seattle and leave paper cranes on the Sadako Sasaki statue.

The Shadow Project aims to help students like Chelsea discover the power of books and reading. Learn more about how our school programs inspire students with learning challenges to find joy in learning.