Today we’d like to introduce you to Cortney Wallace
Hi Cortney, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
2024
When SDVoyager first featured our story, We Strive for Literacy was just beginning its journey. In 2024, we laid the groundwork—building our brand, forming partnerships, and submitting our nonprofit application. Key milestones included our partnership with EBLI®, acceptance into the USD Avila Fund Board Chair Learning Group, and our first site partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Vista, scheduled to launch in early 2025. It was a year of vision, preparation, and stepping into purpose.
2025: From Vision to Impact
This year has been about turning plans into action. We launched our first pilot at the Boys and Girls Club of Vista, serving young readers with structured, evidence-based instruction. We also formalized a partnership with California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) to recruit and train college students as literacy tutors, creating a sustainable pipeline of support for years to come.
Another exciting step forward is our collaboration with Stanford University’s Reading & Dyslexia Research Program, giving us access to the innovative Rapid Online Assessment of Reading (ROAR). This game-based tool allows us to quickly identify struggling readers and provide targeted interventions with precision.
In the summer, thanks to our first grant from the Bessie Minor Swift Foundation, we launched a Free Summer Reading Program that served underserved students across San Diego County. Our second pilot officially began June 9th with 19 students selected from over 35 families—and the impact is incredible!
90% of our students gain one or more grade levels in reading after just 6–12 hours of tutoring.
In June, we also received our official 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS, solidifying We Strive for Literacy as a fully recognized nonprofit. We are now finalizing a long-term partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Vista to make WSFL an ongoing program in their location for the 2025–2026 school year. At the same time, we’re in conversation with several organizations eager to join us in advancing our mission.
The foundation is set, momentum is building, and we’re just getting started—stay tuned for what’s ahead!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building We Strive for Literacy has been incredibly rewarding, but it hasn’t always been easy. One challenge we faced early on was trying to enter charter school districts, which proved more difficult than expected. That experience pushed us to pivot toward community centers, where we could meet students right in their own neighborhoods. Starting out as a new nonprofit has also meant navigating the ups and downs of fundraising, which has required creativity, resilience, and adaptability.
What has carried me through is taking time each day to pause, reflect, and stay grounded in my faith. His guidance has opened doors, connected me with key decision-makers and advisors, and created a path of least resistance, allowing my time to be filled with meaningful work rather than distractions —He has truly laid the groundwork, leading me forward with purpose and clarity.
We’ve been impressed with We Strive For Literacy, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We Strive for Literacy is now a fully recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to bridging the literacy gap in underserved communities. Our mission is simple but powerful: to deliver evidence-based, accessible student tutoring that teaches students how to read and write with confidence.
What sets us apart is our focus on meeting students where they are—in after-school programs, community centers, and virtually by Zoom. By partnering with EBLI® (Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction™), we use a proven, research-backed approach that helps students make remarkable reading gains in a short amount of time.
We also emphasize a trauma-informed model of literacy care, creating safe, supportive spaces where struggling readers can build resilience, confidence, and a love for learning.
Beyond direct instruction, we’re mobilizing communities to join the literacy movement—engaging college students, educators, and local organizations to become trained tutors. This not only equips more people to teach reading but creates long-term change, spreading literacy skills across neighborhoods and generations.
Our ultimate goal is systemic impact—improving student outcomes, raising literacy rates across districts, and preparing future educators through university partnerships. Every workshop, tutoring session, and trained volunteer moves us closer to a more literate and empowered society.
We believe literacy is the gateway to opportunity. With each student we serve, we’re not just teaching words on a page—we’re opening doors to brighter futures.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Taking risks has been at the heart of building We Strive for Literacy. Starting a nonprofit from the ground up in the education space meant stepping into a lot of unknowns—raising funds, building trust with partners, and proving that our model would work. One of our biggest early risks was launching a pilot program without knowing how it would be received. We shifted away from our original plan to work within charter schools and instead partnered directly with community centers. It was a leap, but it allowed us to connect with students right where they are.
Now, with two pilot programs completed—one during the school year at the Boys & Girls Club of Vista and another intensive summer program—we’ve seen firsthand the impact: students making measurable gains in just 6–12 hours of instruction. Those results confirm that the risks were worth it.
For me, risk-taking isn’t about being reckless—it’s about leaning into uncertainty with purpose, reflection, and counsel. Every step into the unknown has opened new doors, strengthened our community connections, and brought us closer to our vision.
(To learn more about the literacy crisis, I recommend the podcast Sold a Story by Emily Hanford and the documentary The Truth About Reading, directed by Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker Nick Nanton. Related photos can be found at the end of this article.) *Photo credit to EBLI®*
Pricing & Sponsorship Opportunities
We deeply appreciate the generosity of those who believe in our mission. We Strive for Literacy keeps our programs affordable and transparent. Each student session costs $40—just 45 minutes of instruction that can change the trajectory of a child’s education.
We offer three main ways to support:
- Sponsor-a-Child: $640 covers 16 sessions (8 weeks, 2x per week).
- Sponsor-a-Site: $5,120 covers an entire 8-week cycle at a community center (64 sessions, reaching 8 students).
- One-Time Gift: $40 sponsors a single literacy session.
Every dollar goes directly to providing evidence-based literacy instruction and measurable outcomes for students who need it most. Whether sponsoring one child or an entire site, supporters are helping bridge the literacy gap and unlock brighter futures through reading.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.westriveforliteracy.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westriveforliteracy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/We-Strive-for-Literacy/61562659695891/
- Other: https://www.westriveforliteracy.org/interest-form
