Reading Allies began in 2017 through a collaborative effort between the University of Alabama Honors College, the Tuscaloosa Rotary Club, and the Tuscaloosa City Schools. Combining the resources of school systems, businesses, corporations, foundations, civic groups, and individuals, Reading Allies mobilizes the Tuscaloosa community to work one-on-one with striving readers to bring students up to grade level. The program now operates in 12 Tuscaloosa City and County Schools.