The ELA Story

At Evans Literacy Associates (ELA), we believe that reading is more than just a skill—it is a gateway to opportunity, confidence, and independence. “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free,” said Frederick Douglass, and this truth continues to resonate today. Reading has the power to unlock minds and futures, yet too many children and adults struggle with this essential ability.

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As educators and parents, we have seen the challenges that struggling readers face firsthand. We understand the frustration of a child who wants to learn but can’t seem to keep up with their peers. We recognize the silent struggle of adolescents and adults who avoid reading because the words never seem to come together. In our schools, we watched as students fell through the cracks, not because teachers didn’t care, but because true evidence-based interventions were not readily available. 

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Despite the increasing awareness of dyslexia and severe reading deficits, we found that even in elementary education, many teachers lack the knowledge needed to differentiate between struggling readers and those with deeper learning difficulties and how to intervene appropriately. Schools often do not have the resources or training to provide the necessary support, small group size, and targeted evidence-based curriculum, so parents are left searching for answers. Our region, like much of the state, has lacked a comprehensive resource that reaches out to parents, students, and schools alike, offering guidance, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment in one place. 

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We started ELA because because of the gaps in services, knowledge, and outreach that we have seen firsthand. We want to change that. We are lifelong learners, educators, and advocates who are committed to bringing research-based literacy support to those who need it most. We don’t just teach reading; we transform lives. “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies,” George R.R. Martin once wrote. This is the awakening we strive to bring to every learner who walks through our doors, no matter their age or background.

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We believe that literacy is a right, not a privilege. Every student, from the youngest struggling reader to the adult who has always longed to learn, deserves access to the kind of specialized, structured support that can change their trajectory. At ELA, we don’t just help people read—we help them find their voice, their confidence, and their future. If you or someone you love needs literacy support, we invite you to join us in this life-changing work.

 

Because when a person learns to read, the possibilities are endless.

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~Allison and Crystal