Our History

OUR HISTORY

Start The Adventure In Reading was founded in New Orleans more than 30 years ago. With just five volunteers and five public school second graders, STAIR-New Orleans began hosting tutoring sessions in the summer of 1985 at a single site, aiming to "equip children with skills for reading, learning and optimal development, and to provide volunteers a positive, rewarding experience."

Since that first summer, the flagship STAIR program in New Orleans has grown to include dozens of sites serving hundreds of students, and has inspired a number of affiliate programs throughout the country.

All STAIR affiliates share the same organizational structure and educator-approved curriculum, but each program functions as a financially independent non-profit organization.