OUR VISION, MISSION & HISTORY
OUR VISION
The Vision of On The Move, Inc. is to provide a consistent stream of books (selected by the teachers to insure they are of appropriate reading levels and that they are of interest to the children) to help teachers prepare their students to reach the goal that they are reading at 3rd grade proficiency level by the end of the 3rd grade. Most of these books were given to the children to take home and keep, as many of the low-income children did not have any books at home.
OUR MISSION
The Mission of On The Move, Inc. is to help close the Preparation Gap and the Achievement Gap between students from low-income families and their middle-and upper-income peers by collaborating with our partners to help students from low-income families read at a third-grade proficiency level by the end of the third grade, and to spark those children's interest in reading to help them become lifelong readers and learners. (see below).
Working with our partners, we know that sparking an interest for continual reading from birth through the 3rd grade, provides a solid foundation for the future. Proficient readers who are reading at 3rd grade level by the end of 3rd grade utilize the opportunity to become lifelong readers, learners and leaders.
During the school year, in order 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 many others, focusing primarily in Lowell, and a few other schools/organizations in the surrounding areas. These books are requested by the teachers so that the books are of interest to the children and are the appropriate age level. By providing our partners with their requested books, the children receive current books (relevant to their level, curriculum and interests) to take home and continually read.
In addition, On The Move, Inc. provides "motivational reward" bicycles, when requested by the teachers, to promote exercise and encourage reading inspiration 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 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 Pre-K
(or 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