Happy Birthday (Almost)!

On April 3, 2009, while sitting in Gutman Library at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, I received a phone call. Our Articles and Bylaws had been filed and a Certificate of Incorporation had been issued. Reach, Inc. was now a legal - and for the first time, real - entity.

As Reach approaches its first birthday, it's interesting to look back on the progress we've made. For me, it's often easier to see the length of the journey ahead, so these moments of reflection are both important and encouraging. I often think of my job in three parts, and I'll frame our progress in the same way.

Fundraising: In a year, we've raised almost $100,000 in cash and pledges. We've received our first donation, first corporate contribution, and first foundation grant. Starting from donations of $10, we have been able to celebrate our first $1,000 donation, our first $5,000, and our first $10,000 donation. While there is a long way to go, we've had great successes in our first year.

Networking: I can't even begin to recount all the great people I met this year. Many in DC's nonprofit community have been willing to provide guidance and support in what is often a difficult process. We've also had two incredible individuals join our Board of Directors - and I knew neither of these individuals a year ago. I'm now in a position where I know where to turn to get many of my questions answered. Additionally, people are starting to talk about Reach, if just a little bit, around this city. Most important, the professionals that I have met now allow me to feel, on some days, that I'm not doing this entirely on my own.

Programming: This is where are greatest strides have occurred. A year ago, I thought I had a concrete idea that would improve literacy outcomes for both high school and elementary school students. I've spent the past year learning how little I then knew. I've learned so much about literacy development - more than I knew existed. From this concept, we now have a signed Memorandum of Agreement, an upcoming pilot program, training materials, an approach to assessment, outlined learning activities, and a strategy for recruiting participants. In the coming months, we'll hire contract teachers and begin recruiting current 8th grade students for next year's program. We've even started targeting potential expansion sites for the fall of 2011.

I'm very proud of how far we've come, and confident in our ability to handle what lies ahead. It won't always be easy, nor has it been to this point, but we will succeed. And in the process, we'll show that it's never too late for a student to address previous academic failure.

Thanks for your support thus far, and I look forward to the continuation of our shared journey.

Mark