What is Everybody Wins!?

Everybody Wins! is a national organization founded in 1991 by Arthur Tannenbaum, a retired textile industry executive. The mission is to increase children's success in school through reading and mentoring experiences with caring volunteers. Everybody Wins!—the students, the schools, the volunteers, their companies and ultimately, the community as a whole.

How did Everybody Wins! get started?

Mr. Tannenbaum and his wife, Phyllis, both of whom attended New York City public schools, had always believed in the importance of reading to their children. Mrs. Tannenbaum's experience as an elementary school teacher, combined with the Tannenbaums' experience parenting their own three children, motivated them to unite adults with children for meaningful read aloud opportunities. After reading Jim Trelease's The Read Aloud Handbook, which emphasizes the importance of reading out loud to children to encourage both literacy and a love of literature, Mr. Tannenbaum started visiting a school near his office during his lunch hour to read with a student. Colleagues soon joined him in this Power Lunch. When he retired in 1991, he dedicated his time to growing the program. From five readers in one Manhattan public school, Power Lunch has grown into a program that currently operates in schools throughout New York City and in 37 other cities throughout the country.

What is the role of Everybody Wins! Corporate Partners?

Corporate partners provide the volunteers and financial support that helps Everybody Wins! Iowa deliver programs in a city where the company has an office. Corporate partners help publicize the volunteer opportunity to employees and make an annual contribution to Everybody Wins! Iowa

Who are the volunteers?

Everybody Wins! Iowa volunteers are employees of our corporate partners, members of organizations and caring adults from the community. Everybody Wins! Iowa completes background checks on each volunteer to ensure the safety of each child in the program.

What is the time commitment required of volunteers?

Volunteers commit to one lunch hour per week for a school year, following the school's academic calendar. We encourage our volunteers to continue with their reading partners throughout their entire time in the program.