The Lowcountry Literacy Project, a grassroots initiative focused on closing the literacy achievement gap in Charleston County, will be the focus of Cocktails for a Cause on Tuesday, June 10 at The Harbour Club.
The event will spotlight the power of evidence-based literacy instruction, specifically the Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach, which has helped transform reading outcomes for students who have historically struggled—including multilingual learners, students with dyslexia, and children in poverty.
Cocktails for a Cause will bring together educators, school leaders, parents, and community advocates to celebrate the impact made during the 2024–2025 school year and build momentum for the year ahead. Guests can enjoy drinks, light bites, and a curated panel discussion moderated by Octavia Mitchell of News 2, featuring educators and school leaders implementing the OG approach firsthand.
The event will also include new data from the independent program review conducted by the Riley Center for Livable Communities—affirming the measurable gains and promising outcomes in early literacy across partner schools.
“We’ve seen firsthand the powerful impact this training has on student outcomes. This event isn’t just a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of the educators who are creating lasting, systemic change in our schools,” said Lindsey Ballenger, Co-Founder and Board Chair.
The Ideal Life Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Ideal Life, is generously sponsoring tickets for all project educators, making it possible for them to attend and be honored for their work.
Tickets are $30, with $15 from each ticket directly benefiting the Lowcountry Literacy Project. Proceeds will fund training, embedded coaching, and classroom support in public schools across Charleston County. Tickets will also be available at the door.
To date, the Lowcountry Literacy Project has trained 76 educators and supported them through yearlong coaching cycles. The result? Partner schools are reporting significant gains in early literacy scores, along with increased confidence among both teachers and students.