Reading Legacies

Grandparent storybooks - enhances 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.

Books bridges - 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 story book are sent to the children at home to be enjoyed time and again.

Youth readers - impact high school and middle school aged youth through semester-long commitment of Reading aloud weekly to young children in their own communities, especially under-served communities. Adult volunteers partner with the youth participants to provide training, guidance, and encouragement. At the end of the semester, the youth have an opportunity to make a presentation to their parents and the parents of the young children about their experience followed by a special event to congratulate the youth for their community service.

First teachers - provides 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.