the reading connection 2015 annual report

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

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From its earliest days, The Reading Connection (TRC) has focused on sharing the magic of reading with at-risk children. We’ve been supported every step of the way by many donors and volunteers. With their help, we’ve been able to reach 15,000 kids and given away 100,000 books. As we reach our 27th year, we extend a “Thank you!” to all who have given so generously over the years.

In the pages of this Annual Report, you will meet four former and current TRC clients. Their stories provide a snapshot of our impact.

came to TRC as a 12-year-old shelter resident in 2006 and is now a high school graduate pursuing a cosmetology license.

a Read-Aloud participant since age 9, emigrated from Guatemala five years ago and is thriving in a bilingual world.

a Read-Aloud participant as a preteen, is 17 and on his way to college.

is a grandmother who can see the long-term positive effect of making reading part of her family’s routine.

We are proud to share these examples of TRC’s programs making a difference in the lives of local at-risk kids and families. Looking forward, TRC is committed to sharing the magic of reading with even more children and families. We are engaged in a three-year strategic growth plan that will expand our programs. In March 2016, we opened a Read-Aloud program site at the Northwest Park Apartments in Silver Spring, our second Read-Aloud in Montgomery County. The Book Club will also expand into Montgomery County in 2016.

We’re excited about these new opportunities and invite you to join us in this expansion. Your gift will allow us to provide more books, recruit more volunteers and develop even more partnerships.

THE READING CONNECTION AT

THE READING CONNECTION


OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

BOOK CLUB

of parents report that they’ve increased the time they spend reading with their child.

READ-ALOUD PROGRAMof parents report that their children are more interested in reading as a result of the Read-Aloud Program.

READING FAMILIES WORKSHOPS

of parents say they feel more confident sharing books with their children as a result of participating in the workshops. LITERACY ADVOCATES

TRAININGS AND LAUNCHING YOUNG READERSProvided early literacy training to 186 education and social service professionals.

ANNUAL REPORT 1


ASHLEY

HOW TRC MADE A DIFFERENCE

FIRST CONTACT WITH TRC at the Read-Aloud program at ALIVE! House in Old Town Alexandria. She lived there for two years, starting in 2006 when she was 12, with her mother, brother and sister.

NOW Ashley has completed course work at the Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology and is studying for her licensing exam.

Ashley still remembers that Wednesdays were TRC days at the shelter. “Every Wednesday, for the two years I lived there, I came to the Read-Alouds.”

One of the reasons it was so special for Ashley was that she became fast friends with one of the volunteers. Ashley and the volunteer, Ann, talk on the phone nearly every day even today. “Ann was there, time after time. I knew she cared about me. I knew she loved books.”

Ashley remembers how it all started. “I met Ann and really enjoyed the time she spent with me reading books and talking. We read parts of a book called The Giving Tree, which became so special to me because it reminded me of Ann and the time she spent with me. I still have that book.”


12 going on19



“ ...I wanted to be a part of something like TRC after I graduated from high school. And I still hope someday to be able to do that.”

ANNUAL REPORT 2ANNUAL REPORT 3


ANDY


9 going on10FIRST CONTACT WITH TRC when the Read-Aloud program opened at Columbia Grove in Arlington, in 2013. Andy’s family speaks Spanish at home; his parents emigrated from Guatemala.

NOW Andy is 10 and thriving in the 4th grade at the Claremont Immersion Elementary School in Arlington.

“ I signed up for the Read-Aloud program because I really like to read. Mysteries are my favorite!”



MARISOL

“ People don’t emphasize reading in Guatemala. When I was growing up there, I absorbed this attitude along with everyone else. It wasn’t until I came to the U.S. that I saw how everyone has a strong reading habit. I like the fact that people are always reading and trying to learn more all the time. Reading is the key that allows you to learn about many things. I’m passing on the importance of reading to Andy. Every day we read 30 minutes in Spanish, and then Andy reads to me in English. Seeing Andy get to college is my ultimate dream, and I know he has to be a good reader to get there!”

ANNUAL REPORT 3

the IMPORTANCE of READING

ANNUAL REPORT 5



SOLOMON

MICHAEL’S FAVORITE BOOKSTHEN Curious George

NOW World record books

HOW TRC MADE A DIFFERENCE

FIRST CONTACT WITH TRC Solomon came into contact with TRC at age 10. He started with the Read-Aloud program when it opened at Independence Place, Washington, DC.

NOW Solomon, 17, is on track to graduate from Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington and plans to study technical design and production for the stage in college.

From the first day they met Solomon, TRC volunteers noticed his strong family and his sprouting curiosity and creativity. The oldest of four siblings, Solomon came to the Read-Aloud with his younger siblings Maria, Michael and Samsara. His mother, Natasha Mason, is an educator and knew the central importance of reading in kids’ success. Her kids would be exposed to everything the Read-Aloud had to offer.

“ The Read-Aloud program made books come alive. It encouraged them to read and want books. They asked questions about the books and know that books are a way for them to explore different topics. I know their excitement about reading has given them skills for school success.”

10 going on17



AND FAMILY

SAMSARA’S FAVORITE BOOKSTHEN Green Eggs and Ham

NOW American Girl series, Ivy & Bean, Dork Diaries

ANNUAL REPORT 6

MICHAEL’S FAVORITE BOOKSTHEN Curious George

NOW World record books

SOLOMON’S FAVORITE BOOKSTHEN The Giving Tree

NOW The Kite Runner, Native Son

ANNUAL REPORT 7


LANI



FIRST CONTACT WITH TRC in 1993, at a program for former shelter residents in Arlington. Tianna was 10, Joseph was 8 and Ajsha was 3.

“ Reading made my children become productive and intelligent adults. I am very proud that their love of reading has been passed down to their children.“

NOW Lani is a Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Specialist for the National Security Division of the Justice Department. Tianna is a nurse, Joseph is a health inspector/medical tech with the Army and Ajsha is a medical assistant.

THREE GENERATIONSHOW TRC MADE A DIFFERENCEThe three kids received books from TRC’s Book Club for 10 years, until 2003. Lani remembers, “The Book Club was such a highlight during those years. Having a special package come in the mail once a month gave my children something to look forward to. They would see that big manila envelope and know it was filled with a book they

couldn’t wait to read!“

Ajsha (pictured here with her daughter, Cheyenne, 6) has followed her mother’s example and made reading a family priority. Ajsha and Cheyenne go to the library regularly and read every day at home.

ANNUAL REPORT 9


Danielle M. McCoy, Chair

James Whitman, Vice Chair

Andrew Cross, Treasurer

Courtney Kissell, Secretary

Kit Ballenger

Lindsey J. Berke

Jeff Bucher

Lynn Cannon

Chris Devine

Maria P. Evans

John McLoughlin

Curtis Nothstine

Susan B. Rosenbaum

Carol Shen

Rebecca C. Smith

Lindsay Spector

Daniel G. Vivarelli, Jr.

Michael Welch

1501 Lee Hwy #170Arlington, VA 22209703.528.8317 www.thereadingconnection.org

28%

19%

12%11%

10%

10%

8%

1%1%

Read-Aloud Program Book Club Reading Families Workshops

Literacy Advocates Trainings We Are Readers

Launching Young Readers Management

Fundraising Special Events

Earned Revenue Foundations Corporations

Individuals In-kind Contributions Special Events

49%

8%

16%

5%

21%

1%

STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Courtney Kissell, Executive Director

Stephanie Berman, Director of Program Operations

Tammy De Martino, Development Manager

Rachel Fishman, Americorps VISTA

Eileen Hanning, Director of Curriculum and Evaluation

Judy Hijikata, Communications Director

Kay Plitt, Administrative Assistant

Jennifer Sauter-Price, Program Assistant


the reading connection 2015 annual report

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