Help the Comets READ community reach their goal!

Comets READ (Refugee Education and Development) is a community service organization through the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College at UT Dallas with over 80 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, Jill Stone Elementary and Hillcrest High 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 want to take our work beyond the classroom and inspire these students to break generational barriers.

We aim to raise $1,500 to facilitate a tour of the UT Dallas campus for students to see the possibilities available with higher education. Any extra donations past our goal will be used 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.

The impact of Comets READ is profound. For elementary and high school 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!