New Charlotte Literacy Lab Supports Westside Youth
By Sasha Manley
A Better World Center for Academic Achievement and Wellness (ABW) is a nonprofit organization supporting youth through literacy. Its mission goes beyond its programming with a dedication to serve.
“From the beginning, 25 years ago, A Better World was shaped by the voices of parents in the community who asked for a safe, supportive place for their children after school,” Founder Kenneth Gilliard explained. “Over the years, that vision has evolved into a deeper focus on literacy, recognizing that reading on grade level is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success.”
Helping West Charlotte students
The decision to locate the program in Charlotte’s Westside neighborhood on Freedom Drive was a personal and conscious one. Gilliard grew up in a similar neighborhood, and he knew ABW would make a profound change in this area, he said.
“From a broader perspective, research shows that while Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools average around 50% reading proficiency citywide, the Westside is home to a high concentration of Title I schools where reading proficiency falls between 20 and 30 percent. That gap is unacceptable — and it’s why we’re here.”
Lab offerings
The program works with nine Title I elementary schools within just a few miles of the nonprofit location. Some of the key offerings and benefits include:
- Open five days a week, including summer, to promote a consistent learning schedule.
- Students work with with Community Reading Buddies one-on-one.
- Remote learning options.
- Instruction through the online program I-Ready is also available in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, streamlining learning resources for students during and after school.
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In addition to academics, ABW also emphasizes wellness. “We believe that academic achievement can’t happen without wellness because wellness isn’t just physical, emotional, spiritual and environmental. Our literacy lab is part of a broader, holistic model that supports the whole child,” Gilliard said.
“We address physical wellness by ensuring every student receives a hot meal each day and has access to clean clothing and personal care items,” he added. “We care for their emotional wellness by creating a thoughtfully designed safe, calm and welcoming environment, with working technology, clean spaces and brand-new materials that show students they are worthy of excellence.”
Experiencing success
Earlier this year, ABW opened a new lab and has seen tremendous success. “At the beginning of the year, 50% of our students were reading two or more grade levels behind, and another 42% were one grade level behind. That meant only 8% of our students were reading on grade level,” Gilliard said.
“By the end of the year — after consistent use of the lab and targeted interventions — that picture changed dramatically,” he said. “The number of students two or more grade levels behind dropped to 19%, and those one grade level behind fell to 36%. Most notably, 45% of our students were reading at grade level — a huge jump from where we started.”
Looking ahead
The recent numbers provide confidence and confirmation of the nonprofit’s profound effect in helping students succeed.
With continued help from the community, the organization’s offerings for students can continue to grow. ABW plans to help more students and hire more educators, Gilliard said. The goal is long-term growth and stability.
One of the simplest yet most impactful ways volunteers can support our mission is by becoming a Reading Buddy, Gilliard said. “This volunteer role takes just 30 minutes a week, but that small, consistent investment makes a profound difference — not only in a child’s reading ability but also in their sense of self-worth,” he said.
“When an adult shows up just for them, week after week, it sends a powerful message: You matter. And that message is even more powerful when it comes from someone who shares their background or community,” he said.
Services are free for students. “It’s a model that requires significant funding on our end, but we believe deeply in it — because we’ve seen the results. We are not just supplementing education; we are transforming lives.”
Visit abetterworldcharlotte.org to make a donation or volunteer.