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"A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of."
--Nelson Mandela
South Africans and the world mourn the passing of Nelson Mandela at the same time as we enter into the holiday season for many cultures. It is simultaneously a time of darkness in many areas of the world where strife and war continue; and closer to home where far too many families face the daily challenges of poverty, hunger, violence, and injustice.
I love the bright lights of this season, and I have enjoyed the sunshine we have seen in recent weeks. At the same time, watching my children run a race and play a soccer game in the bitter cold has been uncomfortable, but temporary for me. I can bundle up, and I can go home afterward to enjoy warm food and drink. And I can curl up with a book by the fire, and reap the rewards of the education I've been privileged to have. As I realize this, I try to imagine just how painful a night on the street anywhere in this state must have been this past week. I am humbled by the collective task we face to create a more just nation, one in which everyone has a chance to be warm, to be fed, to be healthy, and to achieve their dreams.
Mandela's words strike home to me. How do I, my family, and my workplace express concern for individuals and communities in ways that will really make a difference in people's lives? Another quote from Mandela highlights an important way, one that underlies all we do at Reach Out and Read. "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
This year-end newsletter presents an opportunity to thank our supporters for their recent grants. From tribal foundations to corporations to United Way, we attract diverse private funding to blend with state support, because our program resonates across all communities, and changes children's lives. Recently Reach Out and Read was highlighted by Nicholas Kristof in The New York Times in "Gifts That Reflect the Spirit of the Season."
We are continually in need of funding to make sure that families receive a book and helpful advice during each Reach Out and Read checkup. We would be honored to have your support as we bring 2013 to a close.
I give thanks today for the bright light shining within each and every child in Washington State. The possibilities within these faces of our future give me hope, while reminding me of the commitment we must make to doing better by them. At Reach Out and Read we look forward to working with you on behalf of individuals and communities in 2014. Together we can make sure that every child has true opportunity from the first days of life.
Our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones this holiday season.
Jill Sells, MD and the Reach Out and Read Washington Team
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TRIBAL NATIONS SUPPORT REACH OUT AND READ
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New grants support early literacy for tribes and local communities. Reach Out and Read has been pleased to grow our partnerships with health clinics serving tribal communities over many years. We now have 16 programs in Indian Health Service and tribal-run clinics. Working with our national American Indian/Alaska Native Initiative, we continually strive to partner with and support Native American families across Washington State.
This month we also express our sincere gratitude to the following tribes for grants to support Reach Out and Read: Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Snoqualmie Tribe, and Squaxin Island Tribe. These generous donations will help put thousands of books into the hands of young children and families.
"The Reach Out and Read program has brought structure around reading to the tribal clinic. The program has really served as a springboard or touch point to reach out to the parents and discuss the importance of speech and language development in their kids. In addition, it allows me to connect with both Moms and Dads about the importance of spending time with their kids through reading."
- Scott Lindquist, MD; Director of Health, Kitsap Public Health District; and Pediatrician, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe Health Clinic
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UNITED WAY OF PIERCE COUNTY FOCUSES ON EARLY LEARNING
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New strategy funds Reach Out and Read and other early childhood investments. This fall the United Way of Pierce County announced an even stronger focus on supporting young children, and The Tacoma News Tribune praised this strategy in "United Way Hits Right Target." Within this, there are three focus areas:
- Early Childhood Development: Ensure that all our children are physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively ready to participate and learn in school.
- Early Grade Excellence: Ensure that all our children receive the support they need to perform at or above grade level by age 10.
- Strengthening Families: Help families provide a stable and nurturing environment for their children to achieve the above goals.
Reach Out and Read has a very strong presence in Pierce County, with 23 programs reaching an estimated 16,000 young children and their families. Thanks to the leadership of Dr. Mary Ann Woodruff, Reach Out and Read Medical Director and a long-time Tacoma pediatrician, the work of Reach Out and Read is embedded in a Pierce County-wide strategy. Read more about Dr. Woodruff's passion for this work in "Prescription for Books."
Reach Out and Read received funding from United Way of Pierce County from 2011-2013, and we are so appreciative of expanded support through a new grant in the 2014-2016 funding cycle. Local funding is vital to our ability to support high quality programs across the state, and we love working with partners striving for community-wide outcomes.
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CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY HELPS IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR KIDS
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The Boeing Company and local Target Stores support Reach Out and Read. We are pleased to thank the Boeing Company for a $50,000 grant to support our project: Enhancing the Quality of the Reach Out and Read Washington State Network to Support Parents and Improve Literacy Outcomes for Children. We have partnered with Boeing over many years, and the company's support has been instrumental in the development of our statewide quality assurance system. This enables us to better support doctors and medical practices so that they can implement this proven program with fidelity, and assure positive outcomes for children and families.
The Target Corporation has been a long-time supporter of Reach Out and Read nationally, and Target store early childhood reading grants help local communities. We appreciate grants from the following stores that support Reach Out and Read in some of our public health and community health center programs:
- Renton Target Store supporting Columbia Health Center
- Lakewood Target supporting Community Health Care, Lakewood
- Factoria Target Store supporting Eastgate Public Health
- Northgate Target supporting North Public Health
These grants are examples of ways that corporations can have an impact at both the state and local level, and we thank them for their commitment to Reach Out and Read in Washington State.
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GIVE JOY, GIVE BOOKS
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Your donation matters! There's nothing like cuddling up with a good book on a stormy winter day. As you plan your year-end giving, please consider making a gift to Reach Out and Read Washington State. Every day this winter young children will go home from their doctor's visit with a brand new, age-appropriate book to enjoy with their families. Over 94,000 children and their parents are now participating in Washington's Reach Out and Read program. For just $50 you can help 3 families participate in the program for one year! Individual donors are a vital part of our ability to serve children and families, so please donate today.
Did you know?
- Reach Out and Read programs are run voluntarily by doctors and other health-care providers, allowing most of our budget to go toward books and program support.
- The availability of books in a child's home is a great predictor of school success.
- All Reach Out and Read books are gifts to the children who receive them, and come with individualized advice for parents about how to make the most of time spent reading together.
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REACH OUT AND READ WASHINGTON STATE ON FACEBOOK
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Follow Reach Out and Read Washington State on Facebook for early literacy news, reading tips, and brain research information. Please LIKE us and suggest our Facebook page to your friends to help us spread our message about early literacy. Thanks!
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ABOUT REACH OUT AND READ WASHINGTON STATE
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Reach Out and Read helps prepare children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. Our evidence-based proven program leverages the influence of children's doctors and makes literacy a standard part of well-child checkups from ages 6 months through 5 years. Reach Out and Read supports parents as their child's first teacher and helps children be ready for kindergarten.
Through 163 programs in 31 counties, 1,400 medical providers serve an estimated 94,000 children and their families across Washington. Reach Out and Read Washington State is a Regional Office of Reach Out and Read, Inc., a national not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Email - washington@reachoutandread.org
Telephone - 206-524-3579
Fax - 206-524-4768
Address - 155 NE 100th Street - Suite 301, Seattle WA 98125
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