Programs - Reading Legacies

We Help Children, Youth and Families

Book Bridges

This program’s goal is to strengthen family bonds by incorporating reading aloud in families separated by incarceration and addiction.

First Teachers

We are empowering parents as their child’s first and most important teacher through reading aloud regularly in the home.

Book Bridges Program

Empower Parents - Educate Children - Connect Families

The Book Bridges program helps children transcend the bars that separate them from their incarcerated loved ones.

Parents are trained to read aloud to their children on video, forming healthy and lasting bonds and learning about the importance of reading aloud with children.

Volunteer facilitators offer tips and tools to make the shared reading experience fun and valuable to the child. After the incarcerated parents read aloud on video, the video link and storybook are sent to the children at home to be enjoyed time and again. To volunteer for this program, click here.

Results of our Book Bridges Program

Empower

85% of children reported that they enjoy reading more when participating in the Book Bridges program.

0 %

More Enjoyment

Educate

97% of incarcerated parents reported becoming more aware of the importance of reading with the child.

0 %

Increased Awareness

Connect

82% of families have an improved relationship with their incarcerated family member when participating in the Book Bridges program.

0 %

Improved Relationship

We've Helped

Thousands Of Children Find a Love For Reading

Program Participant and Mother

“My son was extremely proud of the book afterward, carrying it around with him everywhere. He then later decides to re-read the book to his baby brother!”

Volunteer

“Volunteering for Reading Legacies comes with an invisible badge of honor that I wear proudly on my heart, knowing that, through the book which an inmate reads and the video of him reading it, a bond with his child/ren is made and/or sustained.”

Father apart for 4 years from 2 daughters

“This is priceless… It actually 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.”

First Teachers program

Gather Resources - Make Reading Fun - Help your Children discover a Love of Reading

Every minute you read to children makes a difference. Empowering parents as their children’s “first teachers” is a pillar of educational and emotional success. The First Teachers program includes a series of workshops that encourage parents to trust their instincts, gather resources, and read aloud regularly to prepare their children for success in school.

This program aims to engage parents in the development of their children through discussion and collaboration. Members of the Reading Legacies Board, Staff, community partners, and parents regularly discuss personal and research-based insights on the benefits of reading aloud with children.

At this time, we do not have any volunteer opportunities available. However, if you are interested in future opportunities, we encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter and stay informed.