Literacy shapes opportunity. It influences education, employment, confidence, and independence. Yet for millions of people, reading has remained frustratingly out of reach.
Dyslexia affects an estimated 20 percent of the U.S. population, accounting for the vast majority of learning disabilities. Despite its prevalence, many individuals are never formally diagnosed or provided with effective support. The consequences extend far beyond the classroom, contributing to unemployment, limited educational attainment, and even higher rates of incarceration.
Literacy Rescue was founded to change that reality.
Why Literacy Rescue Exists
Founder Mike Hirsch, a former special education teacher in Chicago, saw firsthand how traditional education systems often fail dyslexic learners. While multisensory and structured literacy approaches are proven to be effective, they are not consistently implemented in schools or accessible to all learners.
“Schools have a premeditated approach in how they teach students,” Hirsch explains. “But that often leaves little room for methods that truly address the needs of students with dyslexia.”
Literacy Rescue was created to fill that gap — providing evidence-based, individualized reading instruction to learners of all ages who have been underserved or overlooked.
Serving Learners Across the Lifespan
Unlike many literacy programs that focus solely on children, Literacy Rescue works with learners ranging from elementary students to adults and seniors. Each learner brings a different goal, challenge, and story.
One of the most powerful examples of Literacy Rescue’s impact came from a 93-year-old woman whose dream was simply to read bedtime stories to her great-granddaughter. With patient, individualized instruction, that dream became possible.
Her story underscores a core belief at Literacy Rescue:
It is never too early — or too late — to learn to read.
A Structured, Multisensory Approach That Works
Literacy Rescue uses structured literacy instruction grounded in the science of reading, tailored to each learner’s needs. Instruction may include:
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- Phonics-based instruction connecting letters to sounds
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- Visual aids and color coding
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- Verbal repetition and guided reading
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- Movement-based learning activities
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- Flashcards and assistive learning tools
These methods are not one-size-fits-all. Each learner receives personalized, one-on-one support, ensuring instruction meets them where they are — whether they are five or fifty.
Beyond improving reading skills, this approach builds confidence, independence, and self-esteem, empowering learners to participate more fully in their education, work, and daily lives.
Addressing Literacy Gaps in Underserved Communities
Much of Literacy Rescue’s work is concentrated in underserved areas of Chicago, where access to dyslexia-informed instruction is limited. Misinformation, underdiagnosis, and persistent myths — such as the false belief that dyslexia is linked to low intelligence — continue to isolate those who struggle with reading.
“The number of people living with dyslexia is staggering,” Hirsch notes. “But it also represents an opportunity — to recognize diverse learning needs and provide the right support.”
Literacy Rescue aims to turn that opportunity into action.
Literacy and the Justice System
Low literacy rates are also deeply connected to outcomes within the criminal justice system. Studies from the U.S. Department of Justice estimate that up to 75 percent of incarcerated adults are functionally illiterate.
“When people can’t read or write, society can leave them behind,” Hirsch explains. “Without proper education, it may be nearly impossible to break the cycle.”
Literacy Rescue is working toward expanding structured literacy programs into correctional facilities, equipping incarcerated individuals with foundational reading skills that support rehabilitation, employment, and successful reentry into society.
Looking Ahead
Literacy Rescue’s mission continues to grow through partnerships with schools, community organizations, and correctional systems. While the organization does not diagnose dyslexia, it focuses on awareness, access, and action — helping individuals understand their challenges and providing tools to overcome them.
At its core, Literacy Rescue is about changing what is possible.
Literacy is the bridge between potential and participation.
Through structured, compassionate instruction, learners once defined by limitation can rediscover their voice, their confidence, and their place in the world.
As Hirsch puts it:
“Reading is not a privilege reserved for some, but a right that belongs to everyone.”