Read for
Life Programs
Read for
Life Programs
The first program established by Read for Life in 1989, our teenage parent project, is a cornerstone of our work. Three times a year our volunteers attend teen parent programs throughout Tulare County to teach new parents about the importance of reading to their babies. We explain how exposure to reading, singing, and talking prepares children to read and succeed in school. After sharing tips on choosing and enjoying books with babies, parents select a new book from Read for Life. Financial support of this project comes from United Way and donations from individuals and other organizations.
Another of our original programs, Books for Babies, gives the gift of a book to new babies born in Tulare County and written information to their proud parents. Although nursing staff and volunteers originally gave these gifts in the hospital, we now distribute them through prenatal classes. By having health educators present information and provide these gifts, we make the connection for parents between a child’s overall health and well-being and their intellectual development. Our funding for this program comes from United Way and donations from individuals and other organizations.
This tenderhearted program provides a little peace and quiet to children in an otherwise chaotic world. We work collaboratively with family shelters, crisis centers and free clinics to furnish reading corners with plenty of good children’s books. Children may read in the book nook while they are visiting, and when they leave, they may take the book as a gift. We also provide books to Tulare County Family Service workers to use during home visits. This program is supported in large part by donations of new and gently used books by individuals and organizations throughout Tulare County.
Much of our effort is aimed at raising community awareness of the importance of reading aloud to children from birth. To get out the word we have taken on a number of special projects and events.
v Annual Newsletter
v Author Presentations to various community segments
v Speaking Engagements by our members
v Community Lectures by children’s book authors & illustrators
v Support of Read for Life Mural at Sierra Vista School, Visalia
v Bi-Annual Visalia Children’s Reading Fair
v Books & training for Visalia Unified School District State Pre-School Program & Houston Pre-School Project
v Books & training for Tulare County Migrant Pre-School Program