Reach Out and Read Wisconsin

Over the months of 2024, we are showcasing our staff. We hope you enjoy getting to know them more!
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Get to know Colleen Holz, Program Manager

My home city is: Appleton, Wis.

Some of the things I like to spend my free time doing are: reading, traveling, running/hiking/walking, cooking, music and theater performances, and time with family and friends.

My favorite children's book is: Currently, Finding Papa by Angela Pham Krans, and Stickler Loves the World by Lane Smith.

My personal theme song is: Have so many but, this month, it's That's the Way of the World by Earth Wind and Fire.

If I was a candy bar, I would be: Take 5

Get to know Dr. John Hutton's books before he speaks at our annual meeting, Sept. 27.

Inspiring Dialogic Reading with DR Books Explore the benefits of dialogic reading for toddlers and caregivers, as explained by a pediatrician and researcher in the DR Books series. Empower families through interactive and fun reading experiences.

Reach Out and Read's new National Honor Roll celebrates partners whose financial support, expertise, and advocacy advance our mission to promote early literacy, relationships, and childhood development, including Roots and Wings and Senator Joan Ballweg.

The Inaugural Class honors both policymakers and corporations.

“Roots and Wings has been a longtime supporter of Reach Out and Read Wisconsin, said Executive Director DeDe Williams. “Their transformational gift of nearly $2 million helped us more than double our staff in order to expand our footprint and reach more families across the state.”

As a former elementary school teacher, Senator Ballweg understands the importance of reading. After visiting a Reach Out and Read Clinic, she understood the power of the program, said Reach Out and Read Medical Director Dipesh Navsaria. “After seeing the need for additional staff and clinics, she became a legislative champion, helping us secure state funding and grow in a number of ways. We are grateful for her ongoing support.”

Read the full press release below to learn more.

Reach Out and Read Names Wisconsin Senator Joan Ballweg and Roots and Wings to Inaugural Honor Roll Class - Reach Out and Read MILWAUKEE, Wisc. (July 9, 2024) – National nonprofit Reach Out and Read announces its first Honor Roll class, recognizing public policy and corporate partners from all across the country, including one from each category in Wisconsin: Representative Joan Ballweg and Roots and Wings. Reach Out and ...

At Reach Out and Read, we know that reading aloud together, telling stories, and sharing books help forge a meaningful connection between caregiver and child—they create moments that matter. This is the underpinning of what’s known as Early Relational Health. These positive, language-rich interactions are the foundation for a young child’s healthy development and long-term well-being. By making Reach Out and Read a part of their practice, clinicians have a built-in strategy for working with families to strengthen that essential relationship.

Learn more: https://reachoutandread.org/what-we-do/

Extra time with the kids this holiday week? Lee & Low Books has got you covered! Their bilingual Guide to Reading at Home with Children is packed with engaging tips, thought-provoking questions, and valuable resources to make shared reading even more fun! 📖🎉

Guide to Reading at Home with Children / Guia de Lee & Low Books para leer en casa con familia Foster a love of books and reading with the young people in your life with this helpful guide.

Last day to double your gift for childhood reading!

We are working to hit our $5k Giving Challenge by MIDNIGHT to get more books to children and help more families make reading a daily practice — from the very start!

Donate today: give.reachoutandread.org/wisconsin

There’s still time to double your impact!

Imagine the joy on a child’s face when they receive a new book! Put books in the hands of twice as many children by donating today.

Give now: give.reachoutandread.org/wisconsin

Did you know that a child’s mental health is deeply connected to their caregivers’ well-being? From birth to early childhood, strong parent-child relationships are key to fostering physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.

Mental health is important in young kids too. And it's all about relationships. Experts say that from birth to early childhood, a child's mental health is particularly linked to that of their caregivers.

Reach Out and Read Wisconsin was awarded $20,000 from U.S. Venture, Inc and is turning to the community to raise more. A portion of U.S. Venture’s gift is being used right now, matching all gifts in June up to $2,500.

This generous gift gives 1,000 children and families a full year of the Reach Out and Read intervention.

“U.S Venture knows the value and importance of early childhood literacy,” said Greg Vandenberg, director of giving and community engagement at U.S. Venture. “Kids learn to read which equips them to learn for the rest of their lives. Reach Out and Read is a critical partner in this work of engaging hospitals and health systems as access points for families.”

Donate today: give.reachoutandread.org/wisconsin

U.S. Venture Awards Reach Out and Read Wisconsin $20,000 - Reach Out and Read Reach Out and Read Wisconsin was awarded $20,000 from U.S. Venture and is turning to the community to raise more.

Over the months of 2024, we are showcasing our staff. We hope you enjoy getting to know them more!

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Get to know Cari Ritter, Program Manager

My home city is: Grand Marsh, Wis.

Some of the things I like to spend my free time doing are: walking my dogs, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

My favorite children's book is: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

My personal theme song is: Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin

If I was a candy bar, I would be: An Almond Joy.

Reflect, educate, and connect.

Happy .

Here are a few books you can share with your children about Juneteenth.

A story from DeDe Williams, our executive director.

"I wanted to take a moment to tell a story about my daughter Harper. From reading daily to my daughter from birth, I observed that her eyes would cross during our bedtime story routine. I shared with my pediatrician my concerns, and we worked together to track her development. Harper received her first pair of glasses before turning three years old.

I continued to read and sing with her, but she was a very quiet, non-verbal child. She shied away from anyone taking her picture. She lowered her head any time she was around new faces, and new people.

All of this changed once I found a book featuring a child with glasses as the main character. Harper finally saw a mirror of herself! She was excited to read the same book repeatedly. She carried My Glasses by Floyd Stokes everywhere.

One simple book made her feel seen. One simple book made her feel that she belonged.

Now, amplify that experience by 292,679—the number of annual well-child visits completed by participating Reach Out and Read clinics. How many more children and families can feel the positive impact of seeing themselves early in the stories of books? How many children and families can learn appreciation and empathy for the world beyond their front door?

This is Harper. She is the reason why I am so personally and passionately connected with the mission of Reach Out and Read."

Join us in ensuring children receive guidance and a brand-new book from their trusted doctor. Every gift given in the month of JUNE, will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $2,500 by U.S. Venture.

Donate now: give.reachoutandread.org/wisconsin

For those in Madison!

Kids and families can visit any Madison Public Library location to pick up a WE READ tote bag, card game, early literacy calendar, and more, as part of summer reading. WE READ is Madison Public Library’s version of a summer reading program, and it incorporates elements of reading, writing, creating, and playing - both at their nine locations and from home.

Learn more below.

Summer Reading at Madison Public Library Begins with the WE READ Program! Pick up a new WE READ Card Deck, join a weekly art program with a Bubbler Artist-in-Residence, get your WE READ bag, and connect to books, literacy tips, prizes and more this summer at your local library.

"I had no idea how big Reach Out and Read was before I went to this conference! I’ve been talking to all my colleagues about it since I’ve gotten back!"

Stephanie Allen, MD, recently finished her residency with Froedtert Health Care. Prior to graduation, she had the opportunity to attend the 2024 Reach Out and Read Leadership Conference, held in New York City in mid-May. She was one of eight residents from around the country that was selected to attend the conference.

We connected with Stephanie after she returned from the three-day event to get insight into her experience.

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin

Q&A with Dr. Stephanie Allen - Reach Out and Read Allen was one of eight residents to attend the Reach Out and Read Leadership Conference Stephanie Allen, MD, recently finished her residency with Froedtert Health Care. Prior to graduation, Allen had the opportunity to attend the 2024 Reach Out and Read Leadership Conference, held in New York City i...

The generous support of our community makes it possible for children’s doctors to care for families with a book in hand. Our impactful program serves 1 in 4 kids in Wisconsin, and last year, we provided over 300,000 high-quality books. Together we can work toward prescribing reading to all children in Wisconsin!

Double your impact by donating by June 30, thanks to a $2,500 matching gift from U.S. Venture, Inc.

Give today: give.reachoutandread.org/wisconsin

Through Reach Out and Read's partnership with Scholastic, books that allow children to have the relationships essential to learn and thrive will be going home with families around Wisconsin, including at Marshfield Medical Center- Marshfield Pediatrics and Aspirus Doctors Clinic.

Marshfield Children's, Aspirus Health Marshfield Clinic Health System

Lots of great resources for families! Take some time to check them out.

Resources - Reach Out and Read Helping your children navigate through the challenges of early childhood as they are being introduced to the world is filled with excitement! And spending time with a loving adult provides exceptional benefits. The simple act of reading aloud together helps create a lasting emotional connection, sti...

We are a smidge late, but we wanted to wish DeDe Williams, our executive director, a happy one-year anniversary with ROR WI!

What an amazing year one it was! We're so grateful for your leadership, vision, and dedication to our mission. Thanks for always bringing the fun.

Our Giving Challenge for the month of June starts today! Together, we can help thousands of families in our community create joyful moments that matter by sharing books and spending time together.

Double your impact by donating by June 30, thanks to a $2,500 matching gift from U.S. Venture, Inc.

Give today: give.reachoutandread.org/wisconsin

We are thankful to have been asked to take part in the UWFC Spring into Summer event a few weeks ago. We teamed up with the Appleton Public Library to talk with caregivers about our program and the library's summer reading program.

Bonus was having Lola, a Appleton North High School student, join us! She put together a 'create your own bookmark' station for the kids.

With 291 participating sites in medical clinics across Wisconsin, we provide more than 146,300 children and their families with books and resources to empower parents as their child’s first and best teacher.

Find a participating clinic near you: bit.ly/wiclinicmap

We have connected with clinics throughout the state to get their insights into the importance of diverse books. ROR WI will be showcasing them over the next year.
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Ascension All Saints Pediatrics (Erin Tornow, Clinic Manager)

Why do you feel providing books that represent 'Mirrors' is important?

Our children need to be able to identify with what they see in their books, shows, magazines, plays, toys, etc. If they don't see anyone who looks like them or has a family that looks like theirs, they don't identify the same with the concepts being taught in the books.

Why do you feel providing books that represent 'Windows' is important?

Children are open and loving by nature, but they need to see that everyone is different and that is okay. All people should be included and loved the same. If they see others in their books who look like them but also look like their classmates or neighbors, it helps to dissolve any prejudices that they may be picking up on from others in society.

Read full story, including the clinics favorite diverse books, by clicking below.

Mirrors & Windows: Ascension All Saints Pediatrics - Reach Out and Read Reach Out and Read Wisconsin launched its Mirrors & Windows initiative in April of 2024. The initiative will help clinics around the state introduce diverse book choices to children. During clinic visits, program managers will provide book bundles to clinics. These bundles have been carefully curate...

Over the months of 2024, we will be showcasing our staff. We hope you enjoy getting to know them more!
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Get to know Alex Rogers, Program Manager

My home city is: Elkhorn, Wis., and I currently live in Madison, Wis.

Some of the things I like to spend my free time doing are: Being outside, playing sports, and reading books.

My favorite children's book is: Corduroy by Don Freeman

My personal theme song is: "You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon or "Say It" by Maggie Rogers.

If I was a candy bar, I would be: I honestly don't know!

Loud and Clear: Our program promotes healthy children and stronger communities. By making reading aloud a daily activity, Reach Out and Read helps ensure that every child has the healthy foundation they need—cognitively, socially, and emotionally.

Learn more about our program: reachoutandread.org/wisconsin

Border Buddies!

ROR WI 🤝 ROR IL

Melissa Sanders and Liz Smith headed to Chicago yesterday to attend Reach Out and Read Illinois Site Support Meeting. It was wonderful to connect and engage with so many other early literacy advocates.

Thanks for letting us grow with you, ROR IL!

Earlier this week, Reach Out and Read Wisconsin was able to host an Early Literacy in Milwaukee partner meeting. It was a beautiful day discussing the importance of early literacy, with great speakers and prospective partners.

We look forward to continuing the conversation over the upcoming months!

In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, PBS KIDS put together a list of its favorite books featuring Asian and Pacific Islander characters created by Asian or AANHPI authors or artists.

12 Books to Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific… Check out these books featuring AANHPI characters, writers, or illustrators. These stories are perfect to read during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and…

January is Braille Literacy Awareness Month! Check out the resources that Reach Out and Read Colorado shared below.

January is Braille Literacy Awareness Month! The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled is a great resource for finding braille literacy resources for children, teens, and adults!

Check out their wide variety of resources here: https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/informational-publications/braille-literacy-for-children-teens-and-adults/

Since 2016, the DAD Project, offered by the City of Milwaukee Health Department, has worked to strengthen the bonds between fathers and their children. Through weekly in-home visits and group sessions, the program supports Milwaukee fathers in engaging in early literacy activities, tracking their child’s development, and building a community of fathers.

Fathers helping fathers: the health department program connecting and supporting Milwaukee dads Since 2016, the DAD Project has worked to strengthen the bonds between fathers and their children. Through weekly in-home visits and group sessions, the program supports Milwaukee fathers in engaging in early literacy activities, tracking their child’s development, and building a community of fath...