OUR VISION, MISSION & HISTORY
OUR VISION
The Vision of On the Move, Inc. is to allow all children a better opportunity to affect their future (and ours) by decreasing the disparity in educational achievement (due to reading deficiency) between children from lower-income families and their equals from middle- and upper-income families.
OUR MISSION
The Mission of On the Move, Inc. is to close the Preparation Gap prior to kindergarten and the Achievement Gap by the end of the third grade in the Greater Merrimack Valley Region. (see below)
Working with our partners, we know that sparking an interest in reading from birth through the 3rd grade, provides a solid foundation for their future. Proficient readers by the end of 3rd grade utilize the opportunity to become lifelong readers, learners and leaders.
​
During the school year, to balance the potential of children from low-income families with their middle- and upper-income peers, we provide a consistent stream of books and other reading materials to elementary schools, health care organizations and others. Our focus is on Lowell and a few of the surrounding areas. These books are requested by the teachers and professionals so that the books are of interest to the children and are the appropriate age level. By providing our partners with the requested books, the children, in turn, have appropriate books to own, take home, share with siblings, and to continually read.
​
In addition, On The Move, Inc. provides "motivational reward" bicycles, when requested by our partners, to promote exercise - encouraging reading along with a healthy lifestyle.
OUR HISTORY
Development/History of our Approach
In the beginning, we focused primarily on the Summer Gap, (children have less access to books during vacation). We donated thousands of books to schools and organizations, initially in the town of Billerica (our "beta test site"), for children from Pre-K to 4th grade. The majority of these children were able to take home and keep books of their own (some for the first time). The positive feedback that we received motivated us to expand and increase our distribution to the surrounding towns to the North (Lowell, Methuen, etc).
ACHIEVEMENT GAP
Achievement Gap
The learning gap, from Kindergarten to 3rd grade, between lower income children and their middle and upper income peers.
PREPARATION GAP
Preparation Gap
The inherent gap between lower income children and their middle to upper income peers prior to entrance into Kindergarten.
In 2021, our partner teachers requested additional materials to enhance the reading process and consequently improve reading skills. To meet this request, we began to provide our partner schools with additional “related” materials such as magnetic letters, marker sets, word activity dice, write-and-wipe boards and decodable books that the students can utilize or own and profit from.
​
All Donations are Tax Deductible