Help support Dallas area students in need

Comets READ (Refugee Education and Development) is a community service organization through the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College at UTD with over 70 members and 25 consistent volunteers. Our mission is to provide academic support, mentorship and essential resources to refugee and low-income students at Lee A. McShan Jr. Elementary School. The program addresses the pressing educational disparities in our community and fosters a more equitable environment for all students.

UTD volunteers are assigned to work with a few students to create engaging lesson plans that help immerse the students in the English language, math and science concepts to deepen their understanding. At the end of each tutoring session, students are given a free book to take home, a snack to ensure they are energized and any hygiene supplies they may need back home.

We aim to raise $1,000 for classroom and hygiene supplies. Reaching this goal will allow us to provide teachers and tutors with quality materials such as books, pencils, markers and whatever else they need to create engaging lessons. Additionally, hygiene supplies such as toothpaste, soap and brushes help to support students’ physical and mental health and allow them to focus on academics.

Funds will be distributed equally with 50% going to purchase essential classroom materials and the other 50% being used for hygiene supplies. With any additional funding, we will work with the elementary school administration to determine the appropriate allocation. Currently, we anticipate the flex funds being used to purchase nutritious snacks, invest in online educational platforms and purchase laptops/ tablets to run said programs on.

The impact of Comets READ is profound. For elementary students, there has been a steady increase in test scores and a boost in confidence. Through serving as a tutor, UTD students further their leadership skills and connect with the greater Dallas community. By addressing the resource gap in schools, we are helping to cultivate future leaders equipped to overcome societal challenges. Furthermore, our program is dedicated to building strong relationships with students, helping them feel safer in their community.

We invite you to support the mission of Comets READ. Every donation contributes to a brighter future for our students and inspires a love for learning. For more information about the reach of our program, please click here and here to learn more. Thank you for considering supporting our work!