Our Community: Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth is a historic, resilient city with a strong sense of pride and possibility. But like many communities, families here face challenges that can quietly shape a child’s future — especially when it comes to reading.​
Portsmouth at a Glance
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~100,000 residents
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Over half of residents are Black/African American, with a growing multicultural population
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Nearly 1 in 5 residents lives below the poverty line
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About 12% of families with children live in poverty
Why Literacy Matters Here
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When families are stretched financially, access to books, consistent learning support, and basic needs like food often come second — not because parents don’t care, but because survival comes first.
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Yet, the research is clear: reading proficiency by third grade is a turning point.
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Children who do not read proficiently by third grade are about four times more likely to drop out of high school than their peers who do
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Early reading skills are one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic success, graduation, and future opportunity
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Nationally, only about one-third of fourth graders read at a proficient level — meaning most children are already behind
In communities facing economic pressure, these literacy gaps can widen quickly and become lifelong barriers.
We Are Committed to Disrupting the Status Quo
ChainBreakers exists to interrupt that trajectory.
We focus on literacy early — before gaps become outcomes — while supporting families with the stability they need to help children learn. Through early access to books, targeted reading enrichment, and food support that helps children come to learning nourished and focused, we address the conditions that make reading success harder than it should be.
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This work matters in Portsmouth because literacy is not just an academic issue; it’s a community one. When children can read, they’re better positioned to succeed in school, families experience less stress, and the entire community benefits.
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This is why ChainBreakers is committed to making sure our children's futures aren't determined by when — or whether — they learn to read.