About

Meet Our Founder

During the more than two decades of managing her first nonprofit organization, Founder Betty Mohlenbrock was able to witness the impact that reading aloud with young children has on people of all ages, not just the child or parents. Her findings, coupled with the personal belief that youth are a powerful and important resource for the future of society, led her to begin shaping the framework for programs that would positively impact all children and youth, especially those who are underserved.

We believe that children deserve to feel the security of caring adult relationships and develop a love of reading through the read-aloud experience and you deserve a chance to feel empowered by supporting children in your community. We value service to others as a powerful method for personal growth. We help reconnect families using the power of reading together so that children feel loved, setting them up for emotional, social, and educational success.

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

Julianne Moore Introducing Betty Mohlenbrock at 2018 Women of Worth Event

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 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

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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Board of Trustees and Officers

board-betty-mohlenbrock

Betty J. Mohlenbrock, M.Ed.

President & Chair

Educator, Reading Specialist
board-richard

Richard Radosh, Esq.

Vice Chair

Community Volunteer

board-michael

Michael Malone

Treasurer

Chair, Vistage International
board-julie

Julie B. Beaty

Secretary

Community Volunteer
board-liz

Liz Valenzuela Banker

Trustee

CEO/President/Veteran
Shore Solutions, Inc.

board-eric

Eric Manese

Trustee

Rancho Santa Fe Insurance
michael-haynes

Michael J. Haynes

Trustee

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

board-derek-cox

Derek Cox, MBA

Trustee

Contract Advisor  

school board head shot

Elana Levens-Craig

Trustee

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

Vivian Lin

Trustee

Executive Vice President-Revenue Frontwave Arena
board-shaun

Shaun R. Wiley

Trustee

ZUZA Print | Market | Mail

Reading Legacies Staff

board-kate

Kate Danielle Rapiñan

Office Manager & Program Assistant

Read Bio
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 Velazquez

Volunteer Manager

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maribel-de-la-rosa-villa

Maribel De La Rosa-Villa

Family Outreach Coordinator

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Nicole vargas

Storybook Readers Program manager

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Advisory Board

David Bejarano

Chief of Police (Ret.)

San Diego and Chula Vista Police Departments 

Daniel M. Blumberg, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist

Founder, The Power Project

Reo Carr

Founder/CEO, Research Group of Companies, LLC

Ashley Rae Rawlins

Rawlins Law, APC

Ken Culver

Commander (Ret.) 

San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

Antonette W. Hood, Ed.D.

Associate Professor (Ret.)
Cal. State Univ. San Marcos

Antonette W. Hood, Ed.D.

Associate Professor (Ret.)
Cal. State Univ. San Marcos

Valerie G. Hong, Esq.

Garcia Hong Law APC

Kem Graham

Sr. Director of Development
Sharp HealthCare Foundation

Jessica Hughes, M.Ed.

School Counseling

Christine Muecke M.Ed.

San Diego State University
Dept. of Child-Family Dev. (Ret.)

Michael D. McGlinn

Attorney at Law

Rachael Horn Langford

Adjunct Professor of Sociology
Point Loma Nazarene University

Carolos Ramirez Reyes

Third Grade Teacher
San Diego Unified School District

Renee K. Resko

Vice President of Development
Helen Woodward Animal Center

Edward DeRoche, Ph.D.

University of San Diego

Director, Character Development Center

Stephanie Scott

Quality Review Analyst
American Specialty Health

Cheryl Carter King

Member of Founding Board, Retired

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

Kory Russell

Utilities Foreman 

MacKenzie Singer

Marketing Coordinator, VIstage International 

Greg Williams

Campus Supervisor
Liberty Charter High School

Lee E. Winslett

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

Rhonda Su'esu'e-Hernandez, RCFE

Activities Director of Greater San Diego (ADGSD)

 

Cecil Steppe

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

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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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 Volunteer Manager, I lead volunteer orientations and help volunteers find the right  match to one of our programs which include Book Bridges, First Teachers, and Youth Readers. I am a firm believer in Reading Legacies’ core values and in the importance of reading to our children. As a mother, I feel most connected to my son through shared activities, and reading is one of them. The children’s book that I enjoy reading the most to my son 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.