Reading aloud with children is the single most important predictor of a child’s reading success — because the time we share becomes the memories they carry into lifelong learning. During the more than two decades of managing her first nonprofit organization, Founder Betty Mohlenbrock was able to witness the impact that reading aloud with young children has on people of all ages, not just the child or parents. Her findings, coupled with the personal belief that youth are a powerful and important resource for the future of society, led her to begin shaping the framework for programs that would positively impact all children and youth, especially those who are underserved. We believe that children deserve to feel the security of caring adult relationships and develop a love of reading through the read-aloud experience and you deserve a chance to feel empowered by supporting children in your community. We value service to others as a powerful method for personal growth. We help reconnect families using the power of reading together so that children feel loved, setting them up for emotional, social, and educational success. Our vision is that all children will feel the security of caring adult relationships and develop a love of reading through the read-aloud experience. To learn more about Reading Legacies and our work, please visit readinglegacies.org.
1. We value children and youth as powerful and important resources for the future of any community.
2. We value intergenerational social interaction as an opportunity to share cultural heritage and values.
3. We value reading aloud as an effective medium to build relationships and develop an interest in reading.
4. We value service to others as a powerful method for personal growth and increase in self-worth.
5. We value our relationship with our community and our country as a public trust by providing services with the highest integrity and sound business practices. BOOK BRIDGES PROGRAM
The Book Bridges program helps children transcend the bars that separate them from their incarcerated loved ones. Parents are trained to read aloud to their children on video, forming healthy and lasting bonds and learning about the importance of reading aloud with children. Volunteer facilitators offer tips and tools to make the shared reading experience fun and valuable to the child. After the incarcerated parents read aloud on video, the video link and storybook are sent to the children at home to be enjoyed time and again. YOUTH READERS PROGRAM
The Youth Readers program benefits teens, young children, and the communities in which they live through the simple yet magical experience of reading together. High school students volunteer to read with preschool-aged counterparts on a regular basis, which enhances the teen’s sense of self, helps them realize their community leadership potential, and allows them to experience the impact of making a difference in the life of a young child. To sign up to volunteer, please send an email to [email protected]. FIRST TEACHERS PROGRAM
Every minute you read to children makes a difference. Empowering parents as their children’s “first teachers” is a pillar of educational and emotional success. The First Teachers program includes a series of workshops that encourage parents to trust their instincts, gather resources, and read aloud regularly to prepare their children for success in school. This program aims to engage parents in the development of their children through discussion and collaboration. Members of the Reading Legacies Board, Staff, community partners, and parents regularly discuss personal and research-based insights on the benefits of reading aloud with children. GRANDPARENT STORYBOOKS PROGRAM
Our Grandparent Storybooks program is designed to enhance intergenerational family relationships by sharing memories and family values through storybooks. The purpose of this program is to provide meaningful communication between generations as they read aloud together, using technology to bridge geographical separations and to enhance familial interactions. Seniors are coached and recorded on video reading a favorite book to their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other loved ones. The recording and book are sent to the family to be enjoyed and cherished time and again. A true “Reading Legacy” is created as readers reflect on their own memories and life experiences as they read the story aloud. It’s a gift to be treasured by generations!
