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Our History

Since 1974, SLD Read has been committed to bringing the power of reading, writing and spelling to all individuals with learning disabilities, enabling them to achieve their full potential.  What began 50 years ago with a handful of concerned and determined parents who wanted to help their children learn to read, has become a nonprofit organization with offices in three West Michigan cities servicing 18 counties.

1970s

  • SLD Read, formerly Specific Language Disability Learning Center, receives its non-profit status

  • Trinity Lutheran Church acts as the organization’s first headquarters

  • Lois DuBois and Roberta Alexander are hired as the organization’s first Education Directors

1980s

  • Jack Gilman becomes SLD Read’s first Kalamazoo  Executive Director

  • Dr. James Grant completes his doctoral dissertation based on forty-two of SLD Read’s students

  • SLD Read opens an additional office located in Grand Rapids, MI and Kathryn Timmer becomes the first Executive Director

  • IBM donates SLD Read’s first computers

1990s

  • The W.K. Kellogg Foundation and The Grand Rapids Community Foundation awards SLD Read $85,000 to establish a volunteer tutoring program in Grand Rapids Public Schools

  • SLD Read’s first professional development trainings are offered

  • The Kalamazoo Community Foundation awards SLD Read $54,000 to establish a volunteer tutoring program in Kalamazoo Public Schools

  • SLD Read sponsors a regional conference in Grand Rapids, featuring author and learning disabilities specialist Suzanne Stevens

  • SLD Read receives a four-year $100,000 pledge to establish the VanDomelen Foundation Fund within The Kalamazoo Community Foundation

2000s

  • SLD Read launches company website

  • The Greater Kalamazoo United Way invites SLD Read to become a provisional member of its organization

  • The Kathryn Timmer Literacy Award is created

  • SLD Read becomes IMSLEC accredited

  • Engage Their Brains community workshops are created and provided by SLD Read

2010-Present

  • The Tool Box for Success project is funded by various donors; for the first time, all tutors receive a toolbox bag containing tutoring materials

  • SLD Read opens a third office, located in Big Rapids, MI

  • SLD merges with The Binda Dyslexia Center of Battle Creek, MI, bringing the number of offices to four

  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual learning options are created and made available to all students

  • As COVID-19 regulations lifted, online, hybrid and in-person learning options were made available

1970s

  • SLD Read, formerly Specific Language Disability Learning Center, receives its non-profit status

  • Trinity Lutheran Church acts as the organization’s first headquarters

  • Lois DuBois and Roberta Alexander are hired as the organization’s first Education Directors

1980s

  • Jack Gilman becomes SLD Read’s first Executive Director

  • Dr. James Grant completes his doctoral dissertation based on forty-two of SLD Read’s students

  • SLD Read opens an additional office located in Grand Rapids, MI

  • IBM donates SLD Read’s first computers

1990s

  • The W.K. Kellogg Foundation and The Grand Rapids Community Foundation awards SLD Read $85,000 to establish a volunteer tutoring program in Grand Rapids Public Schools

  • SLD Read’s first professional development trainings are offered

  • The Kalamazoo Community Foundation awards SLD Read $54,000 to establish a volunteer tutoring program in Kalamazoo Public Schools

  • SLD Read sponsors a regional conference in Grand Rapids, featuring author and learning disabilities specialist Suzanne Stevens

  • SLD Read receives a four-year $100,000 pledge to establish the VanDomelen Foundation Fund within The Kalamazoo Community Foundation

2000s

  • SLD Read launches company website

  • The Greater Kalamazoo United Way invites SLD Read to become a provisional member of its organization

  • SLD Read becomes IMSLEC accredited

2010-Present

  • The Tool Box for Success project is funded by –; for the first time, all tutors receive a toolbox bag containing tutoring materials

  • SLD Read opens a third office, located in Big Rapids, MI

  • SLD merges with The Binda Dyslexia Center of Battle Creek, MI, bringing the number of offices to four

  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual learning options are created and made available to all students

  • As COVID-19 regulations lifted, online, hybrid, and in-person learning options were made available