Nonprofit Boosts Youth Literacy in San Jose
Alicia and Darrell Cortez use a 10-week reading program to support third-grade students in San Jose schools.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Primary Education
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Founded in 2008, the Shop with a Cop Foundation Silicon Valley provides a 10-week literacy program that requires third-grade students to read for 20 minutes daily. The initiative aims to improve foundational reading skills in San Jose schools to support long-term academic and social success.
Why it matters
The program addresses evidence suggesting that children lacking fourth-grade reading skills face higher risks of future incarceration or welfare dependency. By promoting consistent daily reading, the foundation seeks to break these negative cycles for vulnerable youth.
The literacy program serves 200 students who each receive a $300 gift card, with top readers earning an additional $50. More than 50% of students at Shirakawa Elementary School now read at or above grade level.
The players
Alicia Cortez
She co-founded the Shop with a Cop Foundation Silicon Valley to address community needs through educational and philanthropic support.
Darrell Cortez
He co-founded the organization and brings experience from his 30-year law enforcement career to the foundation's youth outreach efforts.
The details
Students in the program complete a 10-week curriculum designed to improve proficiency through required daily reading sessions. The initiative also incentivizes participation through holiday shopping sprees that reward literacy improvements with financial support for the children.
Timeline
Alicia and Darrell Cortez founded their nonprofit organization in 2008.
The foundation added a 10-week literacy program to its services in 2015.
Reading scores at Shirakawa Elementary School rose 18% during the previous year.
Culture Shift
The foundation's literacy efforts follow a pattern set by the documented correlation between low fourth-grade reading proficiency and future juvenile justice system involvement, aiming to intervene before these academic gaps widen. This approach reflects a broader trend of private foundations stepping into local public education roles to address specific developmental milestones.
The program provides a direct incentive for San Jose families by offering gift cards that support household holiday needs while encouraging academic growth. Parents can support this initiative by ensuring students meet the 20-minute daily reading requirement at home.
The takeaway
Consistent daily practice remains the most effective tool for improving reading proficiency at a young age. Setting aside 20 minutes each day can help students build the fundamental literacy skills necessary for future success.
Further reading
For more information on local educational initiatives, visit the Primary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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