About Us
History
Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California will have an enormous impact on children, families, and communities in 2010-2011. Believing that the achievement of all children must matter to all of us, more than 300,000 new, free books of choice will be shared with over 100,000 children in 285 economically disadvantaged schools, Head Start sites and social service programs all over Greater Los Angeles.
In 1966, former teacher Margaret McNamara brought a bag of used books to four boys in Washington, D.C. whom she tutored in reading. When she told the children they could each pick out a book to keep, their astonishment and delight led her to discover that these children, and many of their classmates, had never owned a single book. By that summer, Mrs. McNamara had gathered a group of school volunteers, and on November 3, 1966, Reading Is Fundamental became a reality. This original book distribution and reading program is now the largest children’s literacy organization in the nation.
Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California started in 1972 and has grown to become the largest multi-site program. As an independent 501c3 organization with its own Board of Directors, Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, we have been cited as a model for running a successful multi-site program by RIF and both our volunteers and programs have received national recognition for their excellence. In June 2007, we received Program Excellence Honors from national RIF in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Only 25 of RIF’s more than 4,100 chapters received this honor.
We have attained our Dream of reaching over 100,000 kids with new, free, beautiful books. Our next goal is to reach 200,000 kids by 2016. Thank you to all who have helped make this dream come true!
Please DREAM with us. We cannot realize our 200,000 Dreams Campaign without you!
Program
“Reading is more than a pastime. In today’s world, it’s a survival skill. A child who can read is a child who can learn, and a child who can learn is a child who can succeed.”
...former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings
For almost 40 years, Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California has taken special pride inspiring Los Angeles’ most resource-deprived children to read. We believe that developing a passion for reading, reading for fun, is the greatest gift we can give children on their road to literacy. By bringing communities together in this mission, we have witnessed thousands of life-changing moments and received innumerable testimonials from grateful children, parents, and school teachers.
Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California works with more than 230 schools and community organizations, tirelessly motivating thousands of children (more than 100,000 in program year 2010-2011 and growing!) across Greater LA to discover the joy of reading. With the help of 5,000 volunteers, our programs celebrate books and give families the resources to make reading a part of their lives. We are unique in providing children the opportunity to choose and take home free, new books to create their own home libraries - giving them a sense of ownership and pride. It is well established among literacy researchers that when students read books of their own choosing they are likely to be more motivated, independent readers.
Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California works with parents to foster literacy in the home. We want families to know that sharing stories and reading aloud to children is the first and single most important thing they can do to help children learn to read. And best of all, families grow closer by taking time to read to their children.
Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California makes a difference in children’s lives every day through enriching activities that spark children’s interest in reading; putting books in the hands, homes, and hearts of the children who need them most; helping educate parents about the importance of literacy in their homes; motivating children and volunteers to make reading a central part of their lives, and helping whole communities celebrate the joy of reading.
Based on the large body of research showing the importance of early reading experiences, Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California targets children in pre-K through 3rd grade (85%) at schools with a high proportion of students from low-income families (93% of the children we serve are eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch Program). We also emphasize reaching children with special needs, and through non-traditional venues such as medical clinics and children’s theater.
In addition, Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California’s WIC Early Childhood & Family Literacy Program helps the most profoundly resource-deprived families in East LA create an environment that supports kindergarten readiness and literacy for their children. Through weekly “Play’n Learn” sessions and monthly family literacy seminars we serve 1,200 children and 400 parents annually.
Please DREAM with us. We cannot realize our 200,000 Dreams Campaign without you!
Program Impact
Ultimately, the goal of the Motivational Reading Program is to influence children’s reading behavior, as well as strengthen the literacy support of their schools and communities. A formal survey of our site coordinators was conducted in Spring 2009 to determine the impact of the program on children, schools and their communities. Based on 159 responses, the results clearly demonstrate the value of the program:
82% believe the program has increased students love of reading;
94% believe the program is a very important literacy tool for the school; and,
84% believe the program has increased parent and community involvement in the school.
The comments from volunteers were extraordinary, emphasizing how ownership of a new book can change the attitudes and behaviors of children and their parents:
Our students BEG for books all year long because of RIF. They have even started a book swap in some classes! So exciting!
We have students who, without the RIF books, would never own their own book at home. It gives the kids a real sense of pride in ownership and respect for books. CLEARLY, the RIF program has impacted our children and how they feel about books.
Children who would normally not pick up a book are reading. The sense of ownership over their own book is very important to these kids.
Students are excited about building their home libraries and having an opportunity to share their books with their parents.
The family involvement and the support the children are getting is helping them to see reading as a fundamental aspect of their daily life.
I have seen increased school wide support for reading…
Helping students to develop a feeling of “ownership” as a reader by providing a book they can keep, and by building their awareness that they have the choice to make reading fun.
The Motivational Reading Program targets communities in which Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California is often the first to introduce the concept and resources for “reading for fun” to the home.
Please DREAM with us. We cannot realize our 200,000 Dreams Campaign without you!