The goal of RIFSoCal’s
Motivational Reading Program is to put books of choice in the hands of children
who otherwise would not have access to them – books they
will be excited to read purely for pleasure.
We have seen the impact of this program manifested in many ways,
and have received innumerable testimonials about the importance
of our program for disadvantaged children and their families.
Children:
Dear RIF,
How are you? Thank you for the RIF books. We love reading them
so much. We also love the books you gave us, especially the chapter
books. We appreciate your donations very much. We keep our books
neatly in our bookshelves at home. Remember, reading is fundamental!
P.S. We’re your #1 fans.
Sincerely,
Rm. 17, McKinley Elementary School
"Today I picked my first book. You were very generous to
our school because you didn’t have to give us books. The
one thing I liked is picking my book. I love my book. Now I read
it over and over again. Thank you very much."
"If you want to become anything you have to learn how to
read."
"I think RIF is very fun! I kept all my projects we made.
Thank you for bringing RIF to this school. The RIF program is
the best activity in all the schools I have been to. Please tell
RIF I said thank you."
"My book doesn’t have any pictures but sometimes I
imagine it and that is the best to do."
"I can’t wait to share the book with my family, they
will be happy for me."
"Thank you very much for the wonderful book you have given
me. I like it so much. I am going to read it over my Thanksgiving
weekend. Last year, I still have your book that you gave me! I
hope next year I will get a wonderful and great book again."
"This is the best book I ever got from school. I am proud
to read the whole book. I can’t wait to read all of it.
You guys are the best."
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Sites:
“We thank you again for including us in the Reading Is Fundamental program.
It was great to see your staff at the book pickup site and to be able to
languish over the many wonderful books you have there.
We had our first book event on November 10, and it was exciting! Until you
allow children to relax and enjoy books, you never really know how much they
love them. I instructed all the volunteers and staff involved in the book event
about the rules – especially permitting the children to look over, choose and
claim their own books. The whole process was so rewarding and very illuminating
for all of us.
Children want to learn. They also sincerely enjoy reading – even if they are
behind in school. Choosing and taking ownership of books gives them a special
sense of pride. They feel important and respected.
This is particularly meaningful for our CII children because they are coming from
families in crisis. We truly look forward to future book events. You all work so
hard at making sure that our children have the positive experience with books that
will affect their attitudes toward reading for the rest of their lives. We are so
fortunate to be the recipients of your dedicated efforts!
children’s institute, inc.
“We picked up our books Wednesday, and I was so pleased with the
selection. There were so many wonderful books that it made it hard to choose
which ones to select. I know the students will be so pleased and excited. Thank
you and everyone at RIF for allowing our school to be a part of such a wonderful
program. with such remarkable children.”
—Debra Vance, Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School
“The Violence Intervention Program (VIP) is thrilled to continue
our partnership with Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California, Inc. (RIF).
I want to thank RIF for its award of new books slated to serve 330 children
grades PreK-8, to be distributed during the 2006-07 program year.
The RIF program has had such a positive impact on our clients during
the past year. With RIF's support, VIP has been able to give new books to
children in the foster care system through the Community-Based Assessment and
Treatment Center (CATC), many of whom may be reading below their grade
level or have limited access to books. The RIF program is a truly wonderful
way to promote children's literacy.
Thank you again for your continued support. We look forward to working with
RIF during the 2006-07 year in continuation of this successful program for
our children and their families.”
-VIP Community Health Center
“In calendar year 2003, Family Court Services (FCS) effect
1287 in-court child custody evaluations. Although these evaluations/interviews
with the children are conducted by specifically trained professionals
who are child sensitive and child focused, there is no doubt that
the process can be anxiety provoking for the children. The ability
to provide the children with wonderful books as icebreakers, positive
reinforcement, and ‘thank yous’ for their cooperation
with the evaluations has proven to be a surefire method of bringing
a smile to the children’s faces. Moreover, these books also
act as a catalyst for those children who have been experiencing
difficulties with their school studies and sends a message to
parents that the Court is serious about it’s expectation
that parents do everything within their power to help their children
to excel in school… There is no disputing the fact that
the books provided by RIFSoCal have
been a valuable asset to the Court… It is difficult for
us to imagine doing the work we do with the children without the
benefit of our much treasured books.”
-Family Law Division of the Superior Court of Los Angeles
“The team has LOVED having the books to distribute on
the mobile medical units and in the parenting classes! Parents
and children have been very appreciative of this wonderful gift
that they are given. Thanks again for making this possible.”
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Coach for Kids Program
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Parents:
Dear "Reading Is Fundamental" Organizers,
Thank you very much for giving my son, Rene, "R.J."
Sansaricq, the free book, My New Glasses.
We took your advice and have provided a shelf for all his books
to start a library of his own.
Although we visit our local public library frequently to check
out books, somehow it’s so much nicer to have a book that
we don’t have to return. If we could afford to purchase
more, we would. However, we’ve had to tighten our budget
since my husband’s death and unfortunately, our priorities
place food and fuel above reading material we haven’t borrowed.
We humbly accept your gift and greatly appreciate the generosity
of your non-profit corporation.
Sincerely,
Shannon K. Sansaricq
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Volunteers:
“One of my favorite aspects of the RIF program is seeing the sparkle
and smiles on the faces of the children as I enter the room. The excitement
is evident and truly beyond anything imaginable. Although the classroom set-up is
different today than it was when I was a youngster, the feeling of adventure and
discovery are the same. As the students search for their very own book, the new
found treasure becomes an instant possession of complete and utter delight. I applaud
the RIF program and the wonderful opportunity it brings to our future educators,
nurses, fire fighters, police officers, business professionals, students of life,
et al. I thank you for giving me the opportunity of being a storyteller and to share
this precious and valuable time with such remarkable children.”
Frank Le Doux, UCLA RIF Volunteer
"Through Reading Is Fundamental, volunteers like me
to have a chance to give the precious gift of reading to America’s
children."
Lynda Johnson Robb
"It’s very gratifying to see the anticipation
and excitement on the children’s faces as they are selecting
their first book."
Brenda Gottfried
"There is nothing more exciting than being the person
who gives a child his or her own first book."
Patt Zimbelman
"A lot of children have not had books in their homes,
so it’s a wonderful feeling to see children who are very
excited about taking a book of their very own home."
Marilyn Taniguchi
"When a child asks for a book that I’ve read to
a room full of kids, that becomes my reward."
Elizabeth Olliff
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Anecdotes:
A father called to ask when his son had to return the book he
had brought home from school. I asked if the book had a RIFSoCal
label in the front with his son’s name written on it. He
said yes, it did. When I told him his son didn’t have to
return the book anywhere, that it was free and his to keep, he
couldn’t believe it and put his wife on the phone to confirm.
Alexandria Avenue Elementary School is a typical RIFSoCal
site with 95% of students receiving free or reduced lunch and
77% designated as “English-Learners” (i.e., coming
from homes where English is not the primary language). Javier
Alvarez, the RIFSoCal Coordinator,
came from a similar background and remembered the impact of the
RIF program – saving all the RIF books he had received in
elementary school. Finally, when he became a school teacher and
got his chance, he came to RIFSoCal
to initiate the Motivational Reading Program at Alexandria. That
was five years ago and he continues to develop the next generation
of “RIF kids,” bringing his treasured books into the
classroom to share with his students.
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