At RISE Augusta, we often talk about the power of literacy to change lives. This month, we are celebrating a special group of community leaders who are helping make that change possible, members of the Augusta Rotary Club.

Summer is a wonderful time to relax, explore, and make memories—but it’s important to keep young minds active. Research shows that children who read during the summer are more likely to maintain and improve their reading skills, helping prevent the dreaded “summer slide.”

The good news? Reading doesn’t have to feel like homework!

Everyone is stepping things up for a Summer Reading Extravaganza and we hope families will take advantage of the wonderful events and activities happening all over Augusta this summer.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in our 2026 Golf FORE Kids Tournament at West Lake Country Club on Monday, May 18!

The Force was strong at the HUB on Thursday, May 7, as families from across our community gathered for a truly out-of-this-world celebration!

Rise Augusta is proud to announce that we have earned the 2026 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid—the highest level of recognition awarded to nonprofit organizations for accountability and openness.

When Abbie Theobald set out to build her Free Little Libraries, she didn’t wait for someone else to step in—she saw a need and chose to be part of the solution.

Because of her, children and families in our community now have greater access to books. Because of her, a child who may be struggling—just like she once did—might discover confidence, imagination, and a love of reading.

That’s the power of one person choosing to act.

Fifteen minutes a day equals over 90 hours a year of learning, bonding, and growth. That consistency can be life-changing!

Learn more.

Senior Abbie Theobald of Aquinas High School is making a lasting impact on our community—one book at a time. As a dedicated Girl Scout, Abbie recently designed, built, painted, and installed two Free Little Libraries, creating welcoming spaces where readers of all ages can discover the joy of books.

When this first-grade student came to us, he struggled in ways that broke our hearts. During his initial assessment, he wasn’t able to spell simple grade-level words, and there were even letters he didn’t yet recognize. He scored a zero.

RISE Augusta and the Harris Literacy Center have joined with a wide range of community partners—including the Richmond County School System, RESA, Augusta University, the Girl Scouts—to launch Get Augusta Reading, a local chapter of the Get Georgia Reading Campaign. These organizations represent just a few of the many partners engaged in this growing effort.

We are proud to share that both RISE Augusta and the Harris Literacy Center—two anchor education partners at the HUB—have been selected as recipients of the prestigious Georgia Reads Award, presented by the Georgia Council on Literacy in partnership with the Governor’s Office.

Every child is unique.  Each learns in their own way and at their own pace. Sometimes it just takes someone noticing the moment when a little extra help can make all the difference.

RISE Augusta is deeply grateful to the Rotary Club of Augusta for their generous $25,000 gift presented on Monday, March 2, in support of our literacy programs serving children in Richmond County.

The other day, I met a young woman who wanted to learn more about RISE Augusta. We chatted casually at first, but before long she began to open up and share her story. By the time she finished, I was not only deeply impressed by her strength and determination, her story has stayed on my heart ever since.

We are thrilled to share some extraordinary news from the RISE Augusta family! Our very own Angela Prince, Director of Operations, was selected by the Augusta-Richmond County Branch of the NAACP to receive the Innovation in Education Award at their 52nd Annual MLK Freedom Fund Banquet on January 26, 2026.

Your end-of-year gift—no matter the size—directly fuels tutoring sessions, literacy tools, books, and the consistent encouragement that changes a child’s entire trajectory. Please make your final 2025 gift today and help us open the door for even more children in 2026.
Together, we can give them the support, the skills, and the belief they need to rise.

First-grader Lena recognized almost no sight words in August. Last month she read her first book cover to cover and then jumped up and shouted, “I DID IT!” Now she reads to her younger brother every night.

Frankly, some children can be difficult.  When we met nine-year-old Mary, her behavior overshadowed her potential. Loud, impulsive, and often sent out of class, she insisted she “couldn’t read.”

Feeling “not smart,” he hid under the table to avoid trying.  RISE tutors created a safe, predictable environment—one where mistakes were allowed and effort was celebrated. Slowly, Darrien tried again… and