About Reading to kids
Reading to Kids: Inspiring Underserved Children with a Love of Reading
Reading is an essential skill that opens doors to knowledge, imagination, and opportunities. Unfortunately, not all children have equal access to books, literacy resources, or reading role models. That's where Reading to Kids comes in - a grassroots organization that aims to inspire underserved children with a love of reading and enrich their lives and future success.
Founded in 1999 by Karen Kiss and her friends who wanted to make a difference in their community, Reading to Kids has grown into a vibrant network of volunteers, educators, donors, and partners who share the same passion for literacy and social justice. The organization's mission is simple yet powerful: "To inspire underserved children with a love of reading by providing engaging volunteer-led programs that foster intellectual curiosity."
One of the unique features of Reading to Kids is its monthly school-sponsored Saturday reading clubs. These clubs bring together volunteers from diverse backgrounds who read aloud high-quality children's books selected by the organization's curriculum committee. The volunteers engage the students in interactive discussions about the stories' themes, characters' experiences, vocabulary words' meanings while promoting critical thinking skills.
The Saturday reading clubs are not only fun but also effective in improving students' literacy skills and attitudes towards learning. According to independent evaluations conducted by Loyola Marymount University School of Education (LMU), students who participate in Reading To Kids programs show significant gains in comprehension skills compared with non-participating peers.
Currently serving eight elementary schools located in Los Angeles - Gratts Elementary School (K-5), Magnolia Avenue Elementary School (K-6), Esperanza Elementary School (K-5), Los Angeles Elementary School (K-5), Politi Elementary School (K-5), White Elementary School(K-6) Alta Loma Elementary School(K-6)and MacArthur Park Visual And Performing Arts Magnet And Spanish Dual Language Immersion Magnet -Reading To Kids has impacted thousands of students since its inception.
Apart from the Saturday reading clubs program,Rading To kids also provides other services such as Family Literacy Program which provides parents/guardians with tools they need for supporting their child’s education at home; Classroom Volunteer Program which allows volunteers visit classrooms during school hours once per month; Annual “Read Aloud” Event which brings together hundreds of community members for an afternoon filled with storytelling activities; Book Donations Program which donates over 10k books annually directly into classrooms libraries among others.
However,Rading To kids cannot achieve its mission alone.The organization relies on donations from individuals,corporate sponsors,foundation grants among others.To support this noble cause,you can donate online through their website or sign up as volunteer if you are within Los Angeles area.You can also help spread awareness about Rading To kids through social media platforms like Facebook,Twitter among others
In conclusion ,Rading To kids is more than just an organization,it’s a movement.It’s about empowering young minds through literature.It’s about bridging gaps between communities.It’s about creating lifelong learners.Rading To kids has proven time after time that it takes small steps towards achieving big goals.So why not join this movement today?