08/24/2026
Thank you to Reading Partners National Board member Patti Stephen and Dr. James Stephen for hosting Catalysts for Change: an evening celebrating literacy, community, and the people who believe in the power of every child’s story. The evening brought together community members and supporters to reflect on the impact we can make when we invest in literacy, opportunity, and, more importantly, our students.
The event featured a powerful original poem dedicated to Reading Partners by Jillian Hainsworth, an Emmy-winning Founding Poet Laureate. Here’s an excerpt from Jillian’s inspiring poem:
“Within the pages of a book lies a roadmap to liberty and to enough creativity to turn our normal on its head
To epic tales of triumph and celebrations of existence
Endless opportunity and mental independence
Wonders beyond borders and a history that can’t be erased
Poetry, possibility, the will to turn the page,
and if we’re lucky, the nerve to pick up a pen and hold our own narratives
Hopeful that if given the tools, the story of us will live on forever
And our future will shine so bright that it’ll give generations to come something to read about”
As we head into a new school year, we’re grateful for the community of supporters, volunteers, partners, and advocates who help make literacy accessible to more striving readers each year. 📚✨
