From Pages to Possibility
Building confident readers and capable learners for life in North Louisiana
Adventure into Reading
Launching Summer 2026!
More than a summer program
Our flagship program launches in Summer 2026 and keeps students engaged with books during the summer months through hands-on literacy activities and family-centered learning experiences. Students and families can discover the joy of reading together.
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Turning Pages is proud to introduce Reading Partners to Louisiana—expanding access to proven, high-impact literacy support for students who need it most. One-on-one support from trained tutors helps students build skills, confidence, and a strong reading foundation.
Together with schools and community partners, we’re creating confident readers.
Community Partnerships
Building a Community of Readers
About Us
We exist to help students "turn the pages of their own story, end the cycle of poverty, and create a better future."
About Allison Painich
Allison Painich is the Founder and Executive Director of Turning Pages, dedicated to expanding literacy opportunities and supporting student success across the community.
About Kayle Waren
Kayle Waren is the Chief Financial and Operations Officer at Turning Pages, supporting the organization’s mission through strong leadership and effective program operations.
What we enjoy most is building relationships. Listening to the needs of our schools and families and finding meaningful ways to support them. We are especially passionate about creating programs that meet students where they are and help them grow.
Values
Equity
We center our work on students furthest from opportunity, ensuring access, fairness, and dignity in every program and partnership.
Literacy
We believe reading is the foundation for confidence, freedom, and lifelong learning.
Whole
We support the whole child-academically, socially, and emotionally-recognizing that learning does not happen in isolation.
Partnership
We collaborate with families, educators, and communities to create a sustainable, lasting impact.
Hope
We act with optimism and purpose, transforming pages into pathways and possibility into reality.
Want to get involved?
A Story Worth Sharing
Our work is rooted in more than two decades of partnership. Through the Carmel Hill Fund Education Program, we have walked alongside schools and community organizations across North Louisiana for over 20 years, building pathways to literacy. In the 2024–2025 school year, that commitment translated into partnerships with 27 schools, supporting over 600 educators and impacting more than 10,000 students with resources that help readers grow and thrive.
27
school partnerships
600+
educators serviced
10,000+
students serviced
“Last year, our library checked out the highest amount our school has seen. This can be attributed to the growing reading culture instilled on our campus.”
Dr. Cleveland Mouton, III Principal
Caddo Parish Public Schools
In-School Literacy & Libraries
We partnered with schools to ensure libraries were the cornerstone of the community. We provided assessments to identify independent reading levels and empowered librarians to curate diverse collections. Our Champion Program set goals for every classroom, awarding “School of Champions” status to partners who excelled.
Innovative Incentives
Book Vending Machines: We stocked machines in partner schools, allowing students to earn tokens for positive behavior and build their own home libraries.
Community & Mentorship
Read the Day Away: This annual celebration allowed community leaders and athletes to visit schools and read to students.
Partnerships
Since 2004, our partner schools have grown from a single elementary school to 23 elementary schools, four middle schools, and seven community partners across four different school districts. We have engaged with partner schools based on a number of factors, including their Title One status, the percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch, the school administrator’s interest and receptivity in implementing an independent reading program, and utilization of the school library.
“The culture at our school has shifted through the years and now I find that our students have a newfound pride in the confidence that being a reader provides. The students are all reading on or above grade level within our school, something that most schools are not currently achieving.”
Lisa Patrick, M.Ed., Principal
Jesus the Good Shepherd School
Ouachita Parish
Elementary School Partners:
- Barkdull Faulk Elementary
- Berg Jones Elementary
- Boley Elementary
- Caddo Heights Math and Science Magnet School
- Carver Elementary
- Central Elementary
- Clara Hall Elementary
- Cypress Point Elementary
- Drew Elementary
- Highland Elementary
- Jesus the Good Shepherd Elementary
- JS Clark Magnet School
- Lenwil Elementary
- Lexington Elementary
- Madison James Foster Elementary
- Minnie Ruffin Elementary
- Our Lady of Fatima Elementary
- Roy N. Shelling Elementary
- Sallie Humble Elementary
- Sterlington Elementary
- Swartz Lower Elementary
- Thomas Jefferson Upper Elementary
- Woodlawn Elementary
Middle School Partners:
- Carroll Junior High School
- Martin Luther King Jr Junior High
- Neville Junior High
- St. Frederick’s Junior High
Community Partners:
- The Literacy & Art Bus
- Green Oaks Juvenile Detention Center
- Monroe Housing Authority
- Academy of Collaborative Education
- Virginia House
- The Center for Children & Families
- The Jones Center
- ULM Intern Program
- West Monroe Community Center
- Carver-McDonald Branch Library
Impact
While there are many stories of impact, we have used the data-driven Renaissance Accelerated Reading Program that includes Star Reading Assessments to measure student success.
Star Early Literacy and Star Reading Growth Assessments show the progress students are making over time in their reading goals, and provide actionable information for educators and administrators to help inform instruction. Post-pandemic we have begun to see an increase in student achievement across schools and grades, with anywhere from single digit increases to a 37% increase in one school’s second grade scores (Clara Hill Elementary School).
Accelerated Reader Framework
Guide
Personalized goals help students stay focused on the factors that matter most for reading growth and help teachers monitor their progress and provide feedback to keep learners on track.
Engage
Individual reading recommendations use students’ interests and reading levels to suggest titles, or students can self-select from over 220,000 choices.
Practice
With Accelerated Reader, students read widely to build word recognition and language comprehension skills. Reading quizzes monitor overall comprehension, while literacy skills and vocabulary quizzes connect to skillbased classroom instruction.
Grow
Detailed reports provide insights into students’ progress. Paired with Renaissance Star Reading, teachers can track students’ mastery of focus skills aligned to state-specific learning standards.
2021 - 2024 Average Reading Growth by Grade
The Star reading assessments illustrate growth over time, with the largest percent increases in third to fifth grades. As students progress from emerging readers in early elementary to fluent readers in late elementary and middle school, there is typically an explosion of growth and then expected increases naturally level off. Once students move through the different stages of reading—from picture books to graphic novels and, finally, to chapter books—progress often plateaus because fluent readers in upper grades typically maintain their reading pace at that higher level.
Want to learn more about our story?
Jesse's Story
From student to educator
I first encountered this program at Wossman High School, where mentors helped me secure my first internship and guided me toward independence. That support sustained me through college and into my career as a Junior High educator, where I have since been named Teacher of the Year in two parishes. The program opened doors I didn’t know existed—like my first trip to New York City—which inspired me to found a Travel Club so my own students can see the world beyond their neighborhoods. This organization played a vital role in supporting my aspirations through every stage of my life. Now, I strive to honor that legacy by passing the power of possibility on to the next generation.
Jesse D. Flunder, MPA,
Junior High ELA Educator
Image from left to right: Allison Painich, Turning Pages Director and Jesse D. Flunder, MPA, Junior High ELA Educator
Get Involved
Every chapter of our story is shaped by the people who believe in the power of community, learning, and opportunity. Through partnerships, volunteers, and supporters, we continue to expand what’s possible for the students and families we serve. Be part of the next chapter—your voice, your time, and your support help move the mission forward.