An Alexandria education nonprofit has been honored with a statewide award for one of its mentoring programs.
The Campagna Center was recognized by Mentor Virginia last month for Wright to Read, a program that has trained and paired reading tutors with elementary students in Alexandria for 45 years. The program received the 2025 Champions of Mentoring Award at a ceremony in Richmond on Oct. 23.
“We were honored to be recognized among other fantastic Virginia programs all striving to make a difference in the lives of youth across the commonwealth,” Wright to Read Director Katrina Foelsche said.
This year, 138 students have participated in Wright to Read, including Thomas A. Edison High School tenth grader Nik Pirouz. He was joined at the event by his tutor-mentor of six years, Anne Marie DiNardo.
“This program has helped me expand myself a lot, not just with English and literature, but also expand myself as a student in other courses,” Pirouz said.
The high school student aspires to create a nonprofit “dedicated to helping new immigrant students connect to career mentors and expand their opportunities,” Foelsche said, describing Wright to Read’s “ripple effect” on its students.
Another program participant, five-year tutor-mentor Sean Kelly, said the program goes beyond advancing literacy.
“It also advances mentoring relationships that offer tremendous opportunities for both the student and the volunteer,” he said.
Campagna Center works with thousands of Alexandria residents each year through programs spanning early childhood education, before- and after-school enrichment, college readiness and economic mobility.
Wright to Read was one of six Champions of Mentoring Award recipients this year, joining the following programs across the state:
- Girls on the Run Greater Richmond
- Henrico Heroes
- Piedmont CASA’s Bridges to Success program
- Seton Youth Services
- Altria
