Greater Austin Reading Coalition Celebrates 5th Birthday with Major Milestone

Over 168,000 Books Distributed and New Strategic Chapter Launched
Learning Foundations
Literacy Equity Pre-K Kindergarten
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUSTIN, TX – January 27, 2026 — Today at 1 p.m., the Greater Austin Reading Coalition (GARC) officially marks its fifth anniversary, celebrating a half-decade of unifying the community to ensure all children are proficient, engaged readers by third grade. Founded in 2021 by United Way for Greater Austin, GARC has grown from a rapid-response initiative into a powerhouse of literacy for all, placing more than 168,000 culturally diverse books into the hands of local families. 

United Way launched GARC on January 27, 2021, to address declining reading outcomes for all. Recognizing that third grade is the pivotal “bridge” where students shift from learning to read to reading to learn, the coalition has focused its efforts on students in grades K–3. 

Five Years of Literacy Impact

Since its inception, GARC has transformed the Austin literacy landscape through bold partnerships and data-driven action: 

  • Massive Book Access: Distributed over 168,000 books through school-based fairs, community events, and partnerships like BookSpring and BookPeople. 
  • Community Integration: Established unique programs like Barbershop Books in Travis County, meeting families where they are to foster a love of reading. 
  • Family Empowerment: Launched the Parents Advancing Reading Transformations (P.A.R.T.) program, providing Title 1 families with meals, childcare, and translation services to help build literacy-rich environments at home. 
  • Systemic Recognition: Advocated for the first citywide “Greater Austin Reads Together Day,” recognized by a City of Austin proclamation on July 13, 2024. 
A New Chapter: Transitioning to E3 Alliance

In marking five years of impact, GARC is also taking a significant next step by transitioning operations to E3 Alliance. This strategic move advances GARC’s central goal: ensuring sustainable, scaled literacy outcomes through collaboration and robust data systems. 

“By moving GARC to a permanent home with E3 Alliance—where K-12 education is a core function—we are ensuring that this coalition has the infrastructure and data integration needed to take literacy equity to the next level,” said Aaron DeLaO, chief early childhood and advocacy officer with United Way for Greater Austin.  

E3 Alliance has been a vital partner of GARC since day one. This transition builds a shared history of leveraging data to reduce disparities and ensures that the community’s voice remains at the center of decision-making. E3’s Director of Learning Foundations, Nwando Clyburn, will serve as the facilitator guiding GARC into its next era. 

“Reading proficiency remains a top priority for our community,” said Clyburn. “We are honored to carry this work forward, aligning GARC’s community-driven spirit with our data-driven systems to ensure every child in Greater Austin has the opportunity to succeed.” 

For more information about the Greater Austin Reading Coalition and its mission, contact Nwando nclyburn@e3alliance.org.