Information » News

Green Foundation Program Director Attends Mann ES Event!

Program Director Elena Hermanson recently attended “The Gift of Reading” Motivational Reading Event at Mann ES, personally experiencing children’s excitement when choosing a new book to keep as their very own.

We sincerely thank The Green Foundation for helping RIFSoCal build a powerful program to support our children’s literacy development.  Elena is the second from left.

The Eisner Foundation supports RIFSoCal!

We want our efforts to help children not just temporarily, but enduringly, by giving them the tools to dream and their families the resources to realize those dreams.

—Jane Eisner, President

RIFSoCal sincerely thanks The Eisner Foundation for believing, with us, that when you give a child a book you have given them the world…

May We Present: Osvaldo Lopez

RIFSoCal is ever so lucky and ever so proud to welcome - and thank - our new volunteer extraordinaire, Osvaldo Lopez. Osvaldo is one of those rare people who turn their beliefs into action.  And fortunately for RIFSoCal, Osvaldo’s passion parallels our organizational passion to create a world where children have books because literacy is of prime importance. In Osvaldo’s words… “I grew up in a household where no one went to college. Even with community college being an option, my siblings did not pursue a career and were not strong role models for me. Having raised two older children, my parents had few resources to provide for me and they paid little attention to my literacy and education needs. But I wanted to be different.  Despite my family’s expectations and lack of resources, I still want to attend a University. I graduated from Schurr High School and my goal is to be admitted as a transfer to UC Berkeley, one of the world’s top-ranked centers for research and teaching, to establish a career in Sociology. If I am admitted to UC Berkeley, I will be the first in my family to attend a University and pursue a strong career. As a sociologist, I intend to help improve literacy and educational opportunities for children who have a social disadvantage in their community. As a volunteer at RIFSoCal, I feel I have started my career!

Osvaldo is now part of the RIFSoCal family! He comes in several times a week and generously shares his ever so refreshing idealism with us. Bravo, Osvaldo! We depend on your generation to make our world a better place.

       

Elle Febbo, a Powerful Force for GOOD

“There is no greater sense of Spiritual Accomplishment than to live and work from the heart with purpose, and embrace life’s highest potential.  Never let anyone stop you from living your mission”

~Elle Febbo

Elle Febbo is fast becoming a RIFSoCal hero! 

As a best selling author, globally published journalist, speaker, and feminine leader, Elle encourages parents to read to their children to bond, to inspire an enjoyment of reading, to promote good self esteem, to improve critical thinking and problem solving skills, to increase vocabulary, and to enhance positive social behavior.

Her message to “Pick a book-ANY BOOK!” parallels what we do every day – let children choose a new book to keep as their very own!  Her message that creating an age appropriate at home library is a gift offering shelf after shelf of imagination parallels our mission to promote literacy and motivate children to read by building at-home libraries for underserved children. 

“What Love Is: A to Z,” Elle’s best selling children’s book, is a colorful and inspiring journey through the ABC’s of Love. Produced to serve as a tool for creating lasting, positive change for our children, it is also a resource to support and strengthen non- profit organizations - like RIFSoCal! - as they serve and support our youth.
 
Please visit Elle’s website for more information regarding her speaking engagements and books. http://www.WhatLoveIsA-Z.com.