R.E.A.D. Mentoring
Weekly one-on-one sessions giving kids from single-parent homes the academic support and character building they deserve.
Learn more“Set a good example for others to follow”
Support our mission
Our Founder's Vision
“Behind every child is a family doing their best — and so often that's a single parent carrying it all. We stand with them. We don't just teach values; we live them alongside the young people who will lead our future.”
Robert L. Releford, Founder
Read his storyRespect
Education
Attitude
Discipline
Our Programs
Wrapping single-parent families in real support — academic mentoring, holiday giving, and warm meals — in communities across the country.
Neighborhood Santa
Bringing gifts and joy to children in single-parent families across the communities we serve.
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Thanksgiving Dinner
Our annual tradition of serving warm meals to single-parent families, creating a community of gratitude.
Learn moreImpact Stories
Lives transformed
"Before the R.E.A.D. program, I didn't think I'd finish high school. Today, I'm heading to USF on a scholarship."
"Being a mentor changed my life as much as it changed his. It's about showing up when it counts."
Every dollar reaches the kids.
We promise that 100% of your donation goes directly into our programs — no overhead, no processing fees taken from your gift. We use Zeffy, a zero-fee platform built for nonprofits. Just pure impact.
Official 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Charity
Give $20 or more, get a Role Models tee.
Our thank-you for fueling the mission.
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Years serving families
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Children supported
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Meals shared
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Of gifts reach the kids
Become a Mentor
Commit to 2 hours a week and change a student's life trajectory. Training and support provided.
Start application
Volunteer
Help us at Neighborhood Santa or our Thanksgiving dinners. We need hands on deck.
View events
Fundraise
Host a drive or create a birthday fundraiser to support our initiatives. Every cent counts.
Get toolkitCommunity Board
What's happening in Tampa
Local events, volunteer opportunities, youth programs, and ways to get involved — posted by the Role Models team.
Flyers are created and posted by the Role Models team from the admin dashboard — fill in the details (title, date, place, icon, color) and a card like these generates automatically, no design work needed. Public submissions arrive in Phase 2.
VolunteersNeeded!
Help make a difference in the lives of young people in our community.
OngoingFlexible hours
All agesWelcome!
Your time. Their future.
Together WeRise
Community FundraiserLet's invest in brighter futures for local youth.
Sat, May 246:00 – 9:00 PM
Downtown Tampa
Every gift plants a seed.
ThanksgivingTogether
A community dinner for families in need.
Thu, Nov 2812:00 – 3:00 PM
East TampaCommunity Center
Everyone is welcome.
MentoringMatters
An info session for new mentors.
Sat, Jun 710:00 – 11:30 AM
Westchase LibraryCommunity Room
Be the guide. Change a life.
School SupplyDrive
Help local students start the school year with confidence.
Now – Aug 10Drop-off locations across Tampa
Small gifts. Big impact.
YouthAfter-School
Homework help
Mentorship
Fun & activities
Mon – Fri3:30 – 6:30 PM
North TampaYouth Center
Learn. Grow. Belong.
CommunityClean-Up Day
Let's keep Tampa beautiful for generations to come.
Sat, Apr 198:00 – 11:00 AM
Riverwalk Tampa
Many hands. One community.
CollegePrep Workshop
FAFSA, scholarships, and planning for success.
Sat, Jul 129:00 AM – 12:00 PM
South TampaCommunity Center
Plan today. Succeed tomorrow.