Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California http://rifsocal.org With more than 30 years of service to Los Angeles' most resource-deprived children, Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California (RIFSoCal) works to ignite the spark of literacy in more than 41,000 children every year, building personal libraries and encouraging a love of books. en andrea.leonardi@rifsocal.org Copyright 2010 2010-08-31T16:35:34+00:00 Run, Run, As Fast As You Can! http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/run_run_as_fast_as_you_can/ http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/run_run_as_fast_as_you_can/#When:20:28:24Z
Our Inspiration

Our Inspiration

Out of the oven!

Out of the oven!

Run, Gingerbread Man, Run!

Run, Gingerbread Man, Run!

BFFs, Fox and Gingerbread Man

BFFs, Fox and Gingerbread Man

The Cast

The Cast

]]> Motivational Events 2010-07-18T20:28:24+00:00 Here We Grow Again http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/here_we_grow_/ http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/here_we_grow_/#When:19:38:35Z
Open Sesame!

Open Sesame!

Because we reached our 100,000 Dreams Campaign goal, we are expanding in order to serve over 100,000 children during the 2010-2011 school year! 
Raymond looks back into the old space

Raymond looks back into the old space

  Workers are creating a magical habitat for thousands of books which are just waiting to be chosen by RIFSoCal kids.

Going for it!

Going for it!

The renovations are coming along. Bursting through the wall with enthusiasm, John quickly works his magic. Our offices are now connected to the new space with a walk through doorway.
Carol in the new doorway

Carol in the new doorway

The books are all packed up, the bookcases almost ready, and it’s almost time to move. Keep checking back, it’s going to change quickly now!


Please Dream with us! We cannot realize our 200,000 Dreams Campaign without you!

 

 

]]> News 2010-07-16T19:38:35+00:00 We’re getting a Make-Over! http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/were_getting_a_make-over/ http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/were_getting_a_make-over/#When:16:29:09Z The Transformation starts! Look at those gorgeous bookcases! We can’t wait to fill them with beautiful books.
Brand new Bookshelves are arranged before being bolted in place.

Brand new Bookshelves are arranged before being bolted in place.

Bookshelves are all painted white with a RIF blue wall behind them.

Bookshelves are all painted white with a RIF blue wall behind them.

]]> News 2010-07-15T16:29:09+00:00 Susan Sarandon Joins Book a Brighter Future http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/susan_sarandon_joins_launch_of_book_a_brighter_future/ http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/susan_sarandon_joins_launch_of_book_a_brighter_future/#When:18:53:54Z
Carol H. Rasco, RIF’s President and CEO; Riffington, RIF’s mascot; and Susan Sarandon.

Carol H. Rasco, RIF’s President and CEO; Riffington, RIF’s mascot; and Susan Sarandon.

To launch the fifth year of the Book A Brighter Future campaign, 20 children from St. Aloysius Education Clinic (a SHARE program!) listened to Susan Sarandon read Wild About Books at Books of Wonder, New York’s largest independent bookstore devoted solely to children’s literature.  Children participated in a multicultural book distribution facilitated by Susan, ate cupcakes, played animal bingo, and left with a backpack stuffed with books and other goodies.  A special thank you to SHARE coordinator Beth Pettit for helping to organize this (Academy) award-winning event!

 

Please Dream with us! We cannot realize our 200,000 Dreams Campaign without you!

]]> Events 2010-07-06T18:53:54+00:00 Inside View of a Book http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/review_a_book_visit_it_again/ http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/review_a_book_visit_it_again/#When:20:02:19Z Book Reviews by RIFSoCal Kids allow us to see value in books from a child’s point of view. The following are a few of thousands of thank you notes containing reviews of the books chosen by our kids. They are poignant, funny, and honest as only a child can be.

]]> Humor, Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Non-Fiction 2009-08-14T20:02:19+00:00 The Power of One Book http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/the_power_of_one_book/ http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/the_power_of_one_book/#When:16:35:34Z A parent called RIFSoCal yesterday with an inspiring story. She said her son had received a free book at his school, Marvin Elementary. The only contact information on the book was our sticker. She was calling to say it was the first book her son had ever shown any interest in, and was asking how could she get more. It was a book on the Civil War from Magic Treehouse Collection. The power of one book… 

]]> Adventure 2010-08-31T16:35:34+00:00 Featured Writer http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/featured_writer/ http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/featured_writer/#When:18:45:57Z
RIFSoCal would like to present Alva Sachs, award winning children’s author, as our featured writer of the month. Alva donated her books, Circus Fever and On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! to the Boggle for Books fundraiser on May 8, 2010. RIFSoCal subsequently purchased the beautifully written and illustrated books for distribution to RIFSoCal Kids.

From the moment, Alva walked into RIFSoCal’s headquarters, we were immediately charmed. Her extensive knowledge and love of children’s literature and illustration sparked a lengthy conversation. Alva’s books and her style were a perfect fit for us as she is the embodiment of the RIFSoCal mission “To promote literacy and motivate children to read by building at-home libraries for underserved children in Greater Los Angeles.” Her books manifest the “fun” in “fundamental” and capture the enthusiasm and optimism of childhood.

Both of Alva’s books are written with a child’s world in mind. In Circus Fever, she taps into a child’s imagination and love of role playing. Circus Fever is a lovely, kid-friendly book. Patricia Krebs’ illustrations are perfect, full of color, whimsy, and excitement. This author/illustrator team really captures the ambiance of the circus and a little girl’s desire to be part of it. 

The second book, On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! features a multicultural trio of friends who are bored and need some motivation other than creating and eating sandwiches. Justin’s dad suggests they refurbish their less than perfect skateboards and go to the park for a race. Now, anyone who has ever known 9 year old boys will tell you that this is the penultimate Saturday afternoon. Work in the garage, fix things, have fun with their dads, and then go out for ice cream. 

Both of these books are written to delight children and to stimulate their imaginations. Bravo, Alva! We look forward to your next books.

Alva’s background includes a childhood in the Chicago area, a bachelor in science degree from the University of Illinois, followed by 16 years as an elementary school teacher and a Master’s Degree in Education from Northern Illinois University.

If there is a word which Alva uses to describe her life, it is “serendipity” as explained in the following quote: “I hope that “serendipity” comes your way. It is that breath of fresh air that knocks you off your feet, catches you off guard, puts a smile on your face and lets you know, that you never really do know what IS around the corner!”

]]> News 2010-08-19T18:45:57+00:00 200,000 Dreams Campaign http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/100000_dreams_campaign/ http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/100000_dreams_campaign/#When:19:32:44Z In 2008, RIFSoCal’s Board of Directors launched the 100,000 Dreams Campaign, an effort to expand our Motivational Reading Program to serve 100,000 children per year by 2013. Despite the economic crisis, and three years early, our Dreams Campaign is now reality.  In 2010-2011 RIFSoCal will distribute over 310,000 new, free books of choice to more than 100,000 children! And the Dream continues…200,000 children per year by 2016! 

At this time in history, we believe it is more important than ever to invest in our children’s literacy by inspiring them to become Readers for Tomorrow able to capture the American Dream.


The 200,000 Dreams Campaign presents an unprecedented opportunity for socially conscious corporations to make a commitment to their community.  Sponsor a Motivational Reading Program in a deserving school near your corporate offices or retail locations!  Research shows companies that support social causes enhance and protect their reputations, win consumer trust, positively impact consumer purchase decisions and recommendations, improve employee recruitment and retention, and even investment decisions for stock portfolios. 

Please DREAM with us.  We cannot realize our 200,000 Dreams Campaign without you!

]]> 200,000 Dreams Campaign 2010-08-01T19:32:44+00:00 Contact Information http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/contact_information/ http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/contact_information/#When:18:35:44Z Address:
Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California
7250 Bandini Boulevard, Suite 208
Los Angeles, CA 90040

Phone: 323-890-0876
FAX:  323-890-0875

]]> Contact Information 2010-07-27T18:35:44+00:00 Clifford the BIg Red Dog http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/clifford_the_big_red_dog/ http://rifsocal.org/index.php?/site/clifford_the_big_red_dog/#When:17:49:36Z

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