Raising A Reader (RAR) is a national nonprofit operating in over 34 states across the nation dedicated to helping families with learners from birth to age eight develop, build, and grow home literacy habits. Since 1999, RAR's evidence-based program has impacted the lives of approximately 2 million families and assisted caregivers in book-sharing practices. Through our national network of Affiliates, RAR builds the capacity of agencies to engage families in gaining skills and resources.
More than half of all children from low-income backgrounds are not ready for kindergarten. Research conclusively shows children who are not reading at the appropriate level by third grade have a much harder time throughout the rest of their academic career and this negatively impacts their success later in life. Early literacy support can prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.
Raising a Reader programs are evidence-based, with more than 34 independent evaluations showing RAR significantly improves language and literacy skills, cognitive development, communication and comprehension skills, school readiness and social competence. Raising a Reader's Classic Red Book Bag Program is a weekly rotation model that equips parents with the tools to engage in book sharing with their child from birth to age eight preparing them for future academic success.
Raising a Reader increases the frequency and length of time families devote to sharing books with their children. Time spent sharing books at home reinforces emerging decoding and comprehension skills. It also helps children develop a love of reading outside of school and homework. Family home book sharing routines demonstrate that reading is a priority and sets the stage for positive homework habits.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
