About SitStayRead

SitStayRead actively strives to create an environment where everyone—students, volunteers, staff, and community partners—feels valued, respected and heard.

Our Commitment

A Culture of Equity and Inclusivity

At SitStayRead, we understand that literacy and learning are enriched through diverse voices, experiences, and perspectives. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is at the heart of our mission to support all children’s literacy in all of its forms; including reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking.

We actively strive to create an environment where everyone—students, volunteers, staff, and community partners—feels valued, respected and heard. We recognize the importance of representation and inclusivity in all aspects of our work in and out of the classroom. We also understand that systemic barriers and power imbalances can affect literacy and learning outcomes. We are committed to challenging these barriers and ensuring our decision-making processes are inclusive and equitable. This relates to our decisions being data-driven and reflective of the systems we use to track and monitor our key performance indicators in all facets of the organization.

By fostering a culture of equity and inclusivity, we empower children to see themselves in the stories they read and write, encouraging them to embrace their own unique potential. SitStayRead is committed to continual learning and growth in our DEI efforts, ensuring that all of our programs, budgetary decisions, and resource allocation efforts reflect the diverse world we live in and contribute to a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Thomas and his owner go into low-income Chicago Public School classrooms, during the school day, to increase 1st – 3rd grade students’ literacy skills!

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

Early literacy skills are essential in helping children transition from learning to read to reading to learn, by third grade, a milestone that often indicates future learning outcomes. SitStayRead annually provides over 1,400 Chicago kindergarten – second grade students focused time and added opportunities to acquire and practice foundational reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills alongside canine companions whose quite, nonjudgmental presence boosts joy, confidence, and motivation.

Learn About our Approach

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Our Mission

SitStayRead advances children's literacy and builds confidence in young readers by using an engaging curriculum incorporating social-emotional learning, enriched by certified reading assistance dogs.

Illustration of a hand reaching to pet a dog's head with a red heart above the dog, symbolizing affection or care for animals.

Our Vision

SitStayRead envisions a world where every child, regardless of race or economic status, has access to the resources and opportunities they need to develop strong literacy skills, build meaningful connections with animals, and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Cartoon illustration of a person with brown hair and a blue jacket sitting next to a gray dog wearing a red collar.

Our Core Values

SitStayReads is guided by “community agreements” as we serve children through formative literacy experiences. These values include being community-centric, curious, transparent, solutions-focused, and creative.

A young girl in a pink hoodie sits on the floor, petting a small dog wearing a blue bandana in a classroom setting.
Three children sit on a colorful rug raising hands and interacting with a small brown dog wearing a blue bandana, accompanied by an adult seated nearby.
A woman stands outside a building, smiling and holding a small dog wearing a blue bandana labeled "Certified Reading Assistance Dog.
A man reads a book to a group of children in a classroom as a woman and a service dog sit in the foreground.
Three women pose together indoors with three dogs of various breeds in a black and white studio portrait.

History & Founders

Circa 2003

Founded in 2003, SitStayRead was born out of a community outreach program at the Call of the Wild School for Dogs in Chicago. MaryEllen Schneider was managing the Call of the Wild School and volunteering at Rainbow Animal-Assisted Therapy with her dog, Shandy. As Shandy was nearing 10, she showed signs of aging while working with children in a very active volunteer program, but wasn’t ready for full retirement.

MaryEllen realized that her dog’s ability to sit and stay with children as they read to her could bring value to the community while keeping Shandy engaged during her golden years, so she enlisted Sarah Murphy and MK Czerwiec, to help her launch an innovative literacy program driven by animal-assisted learning. They began at the Chicago Public Library, and quickly moved to serving Chicago Public School kindergarten-third grade classrooms.

During COVID lockdowns SitStayRead revamped its curricula, began creating bilingual programs, and serving additional community partners and schools in its low-income anchor neighborhoods on Chicago’s south and west sides. In 2024-25, SitStayRead came full circle with its reentry into Chicago Public Schools and the establishment of an ongoing family literacy partnership with the Chicago Public Library.

Learn More about Our Programs

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By the Numbers

As of June 2025, SitStayRead has hosted countless literacy programs across Chicago, as well as: 

Students supported
0 K
Books distributed
0 K
Years of Service
+ 0

Meet Our Team

Meet the Entire Staff & Board

Learn More About SitStayRead 

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Our Impact

Find our latest and historic Impact Reports, as well as information on our nonprofit filing history.

Four women sit in chairs and talk on a TV set, with a service dog lying on the floor next to one woman. A banner reads: “Motivating Young Chicago Readers with Certified Reading Assistance Dogs.”.

News & Updates 

Find the latest SitStayRead updates and announcements on our blog. 

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Job Opportunities

Find open positions, volunteer opportunities, and information on internships with SitStayRead.

An adult and two children sit on a colorful rug in a classroom, reading to a small white dog wearing a blue vest.

Meet the Dog Teams

SitStayRead is proud to introduce you to some of the extraordinary Certified Reading Assistance Dogs that volunteer with us with our new Dog Stories series.

A group of adults and children sit outdoors on cushions and chairs, listening to a person reading aloud under a "Sit Stay Read" banner in a shaded area with trees.

Events

View our Event Calendar and join us at our next Family Literacy Event or Ball! 

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FAQs

Have a question about SitStayRead programs or opportunities? Check our FAQs for answers.

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Contact Us

Need to speak with a member of our team? Fill out our form to connect with a SitStayRead representative.

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Ways to Give

Want to further our mission and vision of a 100% literate Chicago? You can support SitStayRead in a number of ways. 

Help Chicago Students Become Confident Readers

When young students build strong literacy skills early, their confidence grows– in the classroom and beyond. Help support Chicago early literacy programs by donating or becoming a volunteer.

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