Everybody Wins! Iowa has faced financial difficulties over the last couple of years as support from grants and corporate and other larger donors has dwindled, and small donation opportunities have not kept up with programming demand. During the last fiscal year, we served 454 students, but we only received funding to serve 266 students. Recently the EWI Board of Directors made some very difficult decisions to right-size the budget.

During the upcoming school year, we will only offer programming at 15 sites. Furthermore, unfortunately, all program staff, including site coordinators, have been eliminated.

This fall, Power Read lead volunteers will serve as the liaison between our mentors, school partners, and EWI staff. As we finalize the budget we will create and post job listings for part-time positions to oversee programming and fundraising.

We ask for your patience as we determine the sites where we can offer Power Read this fall. If you’re a mentor, we hope to see you back with us when the program resumes after the start of the school year. If a larger volunteer partnership interests you and you’re interested in serving as a Power Read lead volunteer, please email Karen. You also may call me at (515) 277-7590.

These decisions were made with much difficulty. It is our sincere hope that as we address these challenges head on, we will be able to again grow Power Read. Please know that we are immensely grateful to our dedicated staff and volunteers.

Finally, please continue to watch for updates on Everybody Wins! Iowa and Power Read here on our website, in The Bookworm newsletter, and on social media. We will reach out to you about mentoring as our 2024-25 program begins to take shape. As always, thank you for your continued support.