Literacy is our passion.
Minneapolis is our community.
The Story Orchard is the dream-come-to-life of North Minneapolis resident and educator, Lesley De Paz. What began with a custom bike and a personal mission to get books into the hands of neighborhood kids has evolved into a community-wide campaign to bring the ingredients for literacy - classroom resources, quality instruction, adult support, and of course, books - to Minneapolis-Saint Paul residents who need them most.
The Story Orchard Mission
At the heart of The Story Orchard's mission is the belief that everyone deserves access to literacy. Reading is the single most critical skill needed to navigate our world, and it is key to healthy, safe, thriving communities. That's why we're committed to providing services not just to children and educators, but also to parents and other adults.
The Story Orchard is also part of the Minneapolis community. We're in tune to the challenges, but we're also well aware of the strengths, resiliency, and vibrancy of the many unique neighborhoods that make up our metro area. It's always our primary goal to listen attentively and partner closely with the families, educators, and community members we serve to provide the kind of literacy resources that will have real impact.
The Story Orchard is also part of the Minneapolis community. We're in tune to the challenges, but we're also well aware of the strengths, resiliency, and vibrancy of the many unique neighborhoods that make up our metro area. It's always our primary goal to listen attentively and partner closely with the families, educators, and community members we serve to provide the kind of literacy resources that will have real impact.
More about Lesley De Paz
Lesley De Paz is a 3rd grade teacher at the Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion school in New Hope, MN, just west of Minneapolis. Lesley has taught in Spanish immersion elementary classrooms for over 12 years, and is passionate about bringing the power of reading to others. She received a Master's of Educator degree from the University of Minnesota with a focus in elementary literacy.
