The Patricia & Christopher Weil Family Foundation (WFF) creates educational opportunities by providing resources, time and support to children and families in underserved communities. Since 2014, the WFF has supported Words Alive, specifically our Family Literacy Program.

At the beginning of the school year, Words Alive had a unique opportunity to grow our reach by collaborating with other organizations serving families with children ages 0-5. Here in San Diego, Words Alive partnered with the Neighborhood House Association (NHA) to conduct our Family Literacy program at 14 of their Headstart and Early Headstart locations.

In addition to these new endeavors, Words Alive has continued our commitment in San Diego at 11 Family Literacy Program sites including three schools in the Diamond Education Excellence Partnership (DEEP). This will be our largest reach to date for Family Literacy and this was made possible through collaboration, training, and expanding our direct service model. We would not have been able to continue serving so many families without the support of WFF.

Here in San Diego, our goal this spring is to serve 300 families with 7 weeks of programming where we aim to influence three major areas of literacy development.

Develop an enduring commitment to reading: Parents internalize the value of reading as they experience positive, shared reading interactions with their young children. Parents develop durable family reading habits.

Become life-long learners: Parents experience positive attitudinal shifts about learning and their roles as their child’s first and foremost teacher. Parents expand knowledge of children’s brain and reading development, and practices that support their young children’s learning.

Become advocates for themselves and their future: Parents are empowered to invest in the future of their family by increasing self-confidence in their role as their child’s first and foremost teacher.

We are excited for the continued partnership with WFF. To learn more about the foundation and the work that they do click HERE.