Our Core Values

1. We value intergenerational social interaction as an opportunity to share cultural heritage and values.

2. We value children and youth as powerful, important resources for the future of any community.

3. We value reading aloud as an effective medium to build relationships and develop an interest in reading.

4. We value service to others as a powerful method for personal growth and an increase in self-worth.

5. We value our relationship with our community and our country as a public trust by providing services with the highest integrity and sound business practices.

We Believe Children Deserve

To Be read To On a Daily Basis

Connection

We've seen time and again how children develop a love for reading when loved ones take the time to sit down and share a story with them. Those special moments have the power to impact children for the rest of their lives.

Success

Reading to a child for just 5 minutes a day can dramatically increase their educational and emotional success as they grow. Bonding through reading not only helps children to feel supported and loved, but can can also increase rates of early childhood literacy.

Education

We offer several opportunities for families learn new tools and techniques to instill the habit of reading aloud with children. You can get involved by volunteering with Reading Legacies to help us achieve this important goal.

Testimonials

"This is priceless. It touches my children, unlike other means. Anytime they pick up a book they will remember that I took the time to care enough to read to them, together. Please continue to bring our kids a smile."
Father reading to two sons and two daughters.They have been apart for 4 years.
Father reading to two sons and two daughters.
“Reading Legacies is a powerful force of good within our community. They help people to make positive change in their lives, and by doing so, impact future generations. It is a privilege to help support this worthwhile organization.”
Kathy PadillaContent Delivery Manager, Elsevier Inc.
Kathy Padilla
“The McBeth Foundation acts from both the heart and the head. Reading Legacies has demonstrated that it’s a good steward of donor money and there is an imminent need for your mission in our community and for the good work it provides to individuals and families. Our Foundation trusts your organization and respects the direct impact it has had on its constituents. The McBeth Foundation wishes to be associated with Reading Legacies and the emotional impact and personal connection it has established with those in need. Continued success in your endeavors.”
Norm TimminsGrant Committee Member, The McBeth Foundation
Norm Timmins
“Ted and Audrey Geisel both supported ways to encourage literacy. Taking the time to read a story to a child at bedtime. Finding a way for a parent and child to share some time with each other. You at Reading Legacies are promoting that connection and we feel you are doing a wonderful job.”
Claudia Prescott President, The Dr. Seuss Foundation
Claudia Prescott
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Meet Our Founder

Betty J. Mohlenbrock, M.Ed. is an educator, reading specialist, Founder and CEO (Retired) of United Through Reading, and Founder and President of Reading Legacies (her current endeavor).  

Betty has extensive experience in the areas of management, fundraising, and program strategies based on her experience with international programs as well as her integrity and wise stewardship of millions of dollars contributed by community members. 

Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, as well as a Master’s Degree in Education with a specialty in teaching Reading.  Both degrees are from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Reading Legacies provides four programs: 

  1. Book Bridges
  2. Youth Readers
  3. First Teachers
  4. Storybook Inspirations
 

These four programs are for children and youth throughout San Diego County and beyond. 

Their mission is to facilitate supportive relationships for children through family and friends reading aloud with them. 

Website: www.readinglegacies.org 

Betty’s awards include:

  • Congressional Medal of Honor Society Community Service Hero Award (for her leadership at United Through Reading) 
  • Peter Drucker Award for Non-Profit Innovation 
  • L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth National Honoree 
  • LEAD San Diego Visionary Award 
  • University of Illinois Alumni Humanitarian Award 
  • Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor Award 
  • Traditional Home publication’s “The Classic Woman Award” 
  • San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce 20th Annual Women in Leadership Award 
  • Rotary Club of Coronado Success Above Self Award  
  • San Diego Business Journal’s Business Women of the Year Finalist 
  • Coronado Soroptimist International Legend Award 
  • George Washington Honor Medal (from Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge) 

L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth 2018 Highlight: Betty Mohlenbrock

Julianne Moore Introducing Betty Mohlenbrock at 2018 Women of Worth Event

We are honored

To carry on the legacy of Stephen R. Lewis, M.D.

A beloved and respected physician, and family friend. His life was an exemplary model of dedication to family and community, and a strong belief in providing a foundation for children and youth to be successful in life. To that end, our Board of Trustees has established the Stephen R. Lewis, M.D. Legacy Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation with the purpose of funding the leadership position of Reading Legacies, the Stephen R. Lewis, M.D. Presidential Chair.

Reading Legacies is working closely with his family to deliver programs with highest integrity that will fulfill his vision for children and youth. The Board is both grateful for and humbled by the generosity of so many of Steve’s family and friends. Together, we are paying a high tribute to this wonderful man’s life. In order to participate in this Legacy Fund, simply make note of this on your contribution. If you desire further information, please contact us.

Contact Us

Board of Trustees and Officers

board-betty-mohlenbrock

Betty J. Mohlenbrock, M.Ed.

President & Chair

Educator, Reading Specialist
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board-richard

Richard Radosh, Esq.

Vice Chair

Community Volunteer

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board-michael

Michael Malone

Treasurer

Chair, Vistage International
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board-julie

Julie B. Beaty

Secretary

Community Volunteer
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board-liz

Liz Valenzuela Banker

Trustee

CEO/President/Veteran
Shore Solutions, Inc.

board-eric

Eric Manese

Trustee

Rancho Santa Fe Insurance
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michael-haynes

Michael J. Haynes

Trustee

Pro Football Hall of Fame &
All NFL 100 Year Anniversary Team

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board-derek-cox

Derek Cox, MBA

Trustee

Contract Advisor  

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school board head shot

Elana Levens-Craig

Trustee

Board of Education, Santee School District Community Volunteer
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Vivi Lin Pic 2

Vivian Lin

Trustee

Executive Vice President-Revenue Frontwave Arena
board-shaun

Shaun R. Wiley

Trustee

ZUZA Print | Market | Mail

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Reading Legacies Staff

board-kate

Kate Danielle Rapiñan

Office Manager & Program Assistant

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Tessa Grotz Headshot

Tessa Grotz

Book Bridges Program Manager

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board-molly

Molly Biehl Corbin

Grant
Writer

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Camila Velasquez

Camila Velazquez

First Teachers Program Manager

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maribel-de-la-rosa-villa

Maribel De La Rosa-Villa

Family Outreach Coordinator

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headshot

Nicole vargas

Storybook Readers Program manager

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Ronald Diaz

Ronald Diaz

Grant Writer

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Macks Fleming

Macks Fleming

Marketing Manager

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Advisory Board

David Bejarano

Chief of Police (Retired)

San Diego and Chula Vista Police Departments 

Reo Carr

Founder/CEO, Research Group of Companies, LLC

Ken Culver

Commander (Retired) 

San Diego County Sheriff’s Department 

Edward DeRoche, Ph.D.

University of San Diego

Director, Character Development Center

Rhonda Su'esu'e-Hernandez, RCFE (Trustee)

Activities Director of Greater San Diego (ADGSD)

 

Valerie G. Hong, Esq. (Trustee)

Garcia Hong Law APC

Jessica Hughes, M.Ed.

School Counseling

Cheryl Carter King

Member of Founding Board, Retired

Stephen R. Lewis, M.D. Legacy Fund Representative 

Rachael Horn Langford

Adjunct Professor of Sociology, Point Loma Nazarene University

Ashley Rae Rawlins

RAWLINS LAW, APC

Renee K. Resko

Vice President of Development, Helen Woodward Animal Center

Carolos Ramirez Reyes

Third Grade Teacher, San Diego Unified School District

Stephanie Scott

Quality Review Analyst
American Specialty Health

MacKenzie Singer

Marketing Coordinator, VIstage International 

Cecil Steppe

Director, Dept. of Social Services/San Diego County Chief Probation Officer/CEO San Diego Urban League (Ret) 

Col. Marianne S. Waldrop, USMC (Ret.), Ph.D.

University of North Carolina NROTC Alumni Association, Pres. 

Greg Williams

Campus Supervisor, 
Liberty Charter High School

Lee E. Winslett

Wells Fargo, SVP & Division Mgr. New Markets
Lending/Investment

Reading Legacies

Reading Legacies’ mission is to facilitate supportive relationships for children through family and friends reading aloud with them.

Reading Legacies 2022 990 Form

Reading Legacies 2021 Form 990

Reading Legacies 2021 Annual Report

Reading Legacies 2022 Annual Report

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Betty J. Mohlenbrock, M.Ed.

Betty is an educator, reading specialist, Founder and CEO (Retired) of Family Literacy Foundation, United Through Reading, and Founder and President of Reading Legacies (her current endeavor).  

 

Betty’s numerous awards include The Congressional Medal of Honor Society Community Service Hero Award for United Through Reading, the Peter Drucker Award for Non- Profit Innovation, LEAD San Diego Visionary Award, Traditional Home “The Classic Woman Award”, University of Illinois Alumni Humanitarian Award, Coronado Legend Award, the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor, and the George Washington Honor Medal from Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge,  San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce 20th Annual Women in Leadership Award, the Success Above Self Award from the Rotary Club of Coronado, San Diego Business Journal’s Business Women of the Year Finalist. 

 

Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, as well as a Master’s Degree in Education with a specialty in teaching Reading. Both degrees are from the University of Illinois.  

Richard Radosh, Attorney at Law

Richard M. Radosh, Attorney at Law, is a sole practitioner helping clients with wills, trusts, philanthropy planning and corporate governance. He is also an avid trumpet player performing with the Coastal Communities Concert Band. Richard serves on the Board of Directors and as Development Director of the Coastal Communities Concert Band Foundation which supports and operates the band. During 2009, He served as principal researcher on the San Diego Jewish Community Foundation study entitled “Feeding the Hungry in San Diego.” During 2007, Richard worked as a temporary executive for United Through Reading®, Betty Mohlenbrock’s previous organization, assisting with the organization’s transition to its current CEO.

Mike Malone

Mike is an experienced senior software executive who has specialized in managing and growing leading edge technology companies. He was the founding President of the San Diego Software Industry Council and has served as a Director and advisor to many San Diego technology companies. Mike began as a Vistage Chair in 2005, and currently chairs a Chief Executive Group and a Trusted Advisor Group since March of 2008. He currently coaches 31 CEOs of companies of various sizes.

Julie Beaty

Julie is currently a community volunteer recently relocated to San Diego. A graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law and Birmingham-Southern College, Julie has extensive experience in public policy and law in Washington, DC. 

Eric Manese

Eric is Branch Manager at Rancho Santa Fe Insurance. Aside from serving as a Trustee for Reading Legacies, Eric is a Board Member and Finance Committee Member at Sharp HealthCare Foundation, and President at Future Legends Chuck Courtney Honorary Scholarship Fund.

Mike Haynes

A graduate of ASU and former New England Patriot and Los Angeles Raider, Mike is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame as well as the All NFL 100 Year Anniversary Team. He serves on the board of the Retired Hall of Fame and is the national spokesperson for the American Urological Association. A father of six, Mike is a strong advocate for children and youth in San Diego and beyond.

Derek Cox

After retiring from professional football, Derek earned his Master’s in Business Administration at UCLA Anderson School of Management and is an Independent Sports Agent and Conultant.

Derek believes that the Reading Legacies initiative can bring much needed motivation to youth. Many of them struggle with motivation and understanding how they can make a difference in the world. This program shows them that they can make a difference in the world at the most important place – home.

Elana Levens-Craig

Elana Levens-Craig possesses nearly two decades of executive-level corporate, non-profit, and education leadership with lauded success in a myriad of environments. She is a former special education teacher in both public and non-public schools. Elana is currently serving her tenth-consecutive year as an elected member of the Santee School District Board of Education, most recently serving as Board President. She co-founded Packaging Solutions for Today’s Industry in 2004 with her husband, and successfully sold the company in 2020.

Elana’s volunteer activities include East County Meals on Wheels, Father Joe’s Villages, Jewish Family Service, Susan G. Komen, Salvation Army, Rotary International, and events with the local Chambers of Commerce. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree, Magna Cum Laude, and Master’s degree from San Diego State University and is the recipient of more than a dozen industry and volunteer awards. When she is not traveling, hiking or reading, she is spending time with her two grandchildren

Shaun r. Wiley

Shaun has been involved with marketing efforts for nearly 20 years. His current role as an executive marketing consultant at ZUZA Marketing Asset Management allows him to work closely and guide business leadership from various industries across the globe. Before moving to California in 2014, he served as Director of Admissions with the Art Institutes in Georgia and Florida. As an alumni of Georgia State University, he holds a dual-Bachelors in Journalism and Sociology. His secret to success: Treat others like they want to be treated.

Kate Danielle Rapiñan

My name is Kate Danielle Rapiñan, and I have had the pleasure of working with the Reading Legacies team since May 2020 after graduating from the University of San Diego with a Bachelor’s in Real Estate and a minor in Business Administration. As the Office Manager and Program Assistant, I coordinate the internal processes of our constituent database and fundraising campaigns. Through my prior volunteer experiences, I understand just how much of an impact reading to and caring for children can have on their future growth. Reading Legacies has given me the privilege to share their vision. One of my favorite children’s books is Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson.

Tessa Grotz

My name is Tessa Grotz and I joined the Reading Legacies family in 2022 after graduating from SDSU with a BSFA in Public Administration and a minor in Women’s Studies. My role as Book Bridges Program Manager is to oversee the implementation and programming of our workshops in correctional facilities that record and connect incarcerated individuals to the special children in their lives by reading them a story. Looking back on my youth I can appreciate all the precious time teachers and family members invested by reading to me and am honored to work for an organization centered on the importance of this connection. One of my favorite books growing up was the “Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein because the principle of giving back is a guiding force in my life :)

Molly Biehl Corbin

My name is Molly Corbin and I have a BA in political science from UCSB, an MA in sociology from the University of New Orleans, and am an ICF certified diversity and inclusion coach. I first worked with Founder, Betty Mohlenbrock, in the mid-1990s at her early non-profit, Family Literacy Foundation. I work with the Reading Legacies team on grant and content writing. My favorite children’s book series is Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner.

Camila Velazquez

My name is Camila Velazquez, and I joined the Reading Legacies team in 2022. I have a BS in Child and Family Development from San Diego State University. As the First Teachers Program Manager, I oversee the parent workshops and the monthly Family Story Hours. I am a firm believer in Reading Legacies’ core values and the importance of reading to our children. As a mother of two boys, I feel most connected to them through shared activities, and reading is one of them. The children’s book that I enjoy reading the most with my sons is Love you Forever by Robert Munsch.

Maribel De La Rosa-Villa

My name is Maribel De La Rosa-Villa. I am a mother of three courageous daughters and a determined son. As a former inmate saved by the grace of God, I know firsthand the importance of family connections from afar. I had the honor of joining Reading Legacies recently, and get to be part of an amazing team that facilitates supportive family relationships through reading aloud. As Family Outreach Coordinator, I motivate and encourage families to stay connected as much as possible, and what better way than through reading? I understand firsthand the hurt we cause our children with our choices and selfishness. Reading Legacies helped my family and I amend that pain and hurt. It is my turn to pay it forward. I look forward to seeing families reunited and healed.

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:6

Nicole Vargas

My name is Nicole Vargas. I joined the Reading Legacies team in January 2023. I have a BA in Child Development from Point Loma Nazarene University and 6 years’ experience working with children from ages infancy to adolescence. My role as the Storybook Readers Program Manager is to oversee the programing and implementation of our Youth Readers and Storybook Inspirations programs. As a child development professional, I have firsthand experience seeing the immense impact that reading aloud to children has on their early literacy skills and relationship building within the family and community. One of my favorite children’s books is If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Numeroff. 

Ronald Diaz

My name is Ronald Diaz and I joined Reading Legacies in June 2023. Born and raised in southern California, I earned my BA in Psychology and Philosophy from Claremont McKenna College and have worked extensively with non-profits throughout the San Diego area providing support with volunteer and staff management, program development, community engagement, and fundraising! I’m currently working with the Reading Legacies team to ensure that they have the resources and community support to continue doing their essential work: building relationships and creating reading legacies! I grew up around books and own too many (if there is such a thing), my favorite children’s book is “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (Dr. Seuss), but mostly that’s because it’s the title my son requests the most for storytime.

Macks Fleming

My name is Macks Fleming and I joined Reading Legacies, following a partnership developed while working at the Logan Heights Library, in January of 2024. My background is in Culinary, having spent over 10 years in the industry, I never shy away from an opportunity to pull out the steel! 🔪 


I cherish working at Reading Legacies because of my children, Sebastian & Maya. When I look at the connections from my own childhood, I have fond memories of being read to by almost every member of my immediate family at some point. Reading is important because it inspires you to think creatively and be yourself! ✌🏾

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