A Fair Shake for Youth Employee Directory
Primary and Secondary EducationNew York, United States2-10 Employees
A Fair Shake for Youth is a small nonprofit based in New York City that uses therapy dogs to support literacy development and social-emotional growth among underserved middle school students. Since the pandemic it has operated a Zoom Reading Aloud to Dogs program in partnership with the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan's remote tutoring initiative, offering tutoring four afternoons a week and a weekly reading session with a dog. Reading aloud to dogs provides a nonjudgmental audience, and volunteers with dog-themed books help children build reading confidence and address literacy risk. Founded in 2010, the organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collaborates with schools and community groups in low-income areas of New York City. In its 10-week in-person program, three therapy dog teams and an instructor guide students through hands-on dog activities and discussions on topics such as rescue and breed discrimination, reinforcing positive communication and trust while aiming to reduce bullying.