MEDIA RELEASE: WORDS ALIVE OPENS PERMANENT HOME IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO TO CREATE HUB FOR YOUTH LITERACY INITIATIVES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Contact:  Katie Nieri, 661-817-3638

WORDS ALIVE OPENS PERMANENT HOME IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO TO CREATE HUB FOR YOUTH LITERACY INITIATIVES

SAN DIEGO – June 7, 2023 – Words Alive announces the gift of a 5,000 square-foot building in the East Village in downtown San Diego, courtesy of Karen and Jeff Silberman, to permanently house its efforts to improve regional literacy.

The organization’s new permanent home places the nonprofit organization closer to some of the region’s highest areas of need. Roughly 70% of its partner schools are now within six miles of the Words Alive headquarters, which drastically reduces the driving time for volunteers who delivered quality reading programming and 30,000 books and learning kits last year.

“The impact of the Silberman’s donation to World’s Alive can’t be understated—it’s allowing us to enter a new chapter of literacy advocacy and impact in San Diego,” said Rachael Orose, executive director of Words Alive. “This permanent home establishes a youth literacy hub in downtown and allows us to more effectively harness the power of our people – volunteers, staff and families– to inspire a new generation of learners.”

Nearly half of third graders in the San Diego Unified School District are not reading at grade level, according to reports from the U.S. Department of Education and San Diego Council on Literacy. Significant literacy disparities, largely driven by socioeconomic factors, are leaving too many kids behind.

“Reading is the first step toward empowerment and opportunity, and we believe Words Alive is uniquely situated to positively impact the lives of children in San Diego County,” said Karen and Jeff Silberman, who donated the property on Park Boulevard to Words Alive. “We look forward to seeing how this permanent home can help the organization advance its programs designed to ignite a love of reading among local families.”

Words Alive creates community by empowering over 800 volunteers to actively promote literacy in their communities through the Family Literacy Program, Read Aloud Program, Adolescent Book Group and other initiatives that reach over 5,000 children, teens and families each year. Register to volunteer or donate at wordsalive.org.

ABOUT WORDS ALIVE                 

Founded in 1999, Words Alive is a 501(c)3 organization that connects children, teens and families with the power of reading. Words Alive provides access to relevant and quality books, shared reading experiences, and a connection to reading that lays the foundation for continued success. To learn more about Words Alive visit: www.WordsAlive.org.

Photos for media use available: Ribbon Cutting Media Photo Library — Words Alive.

Photo credit: Photos courtesy of RZ-Photography.com | @rzphotosofficial

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Words Alive Board of Directors Approves Supplemental Paid Family Leave for Employees

Literacy Nonprofit Hopes Others Will Institute Similar Policies

SAN DIEGO (July 20, 2022) – This week, Words Alive’s Board of Directors approved supplementing paid family leave benefits, guaranteeing that employees receive 100% of their regular salary while on qualified paid leave. Words Alive, a San Diego-based children’s literacy nonprofit, has 7 full-time and 3 part-time employees now eligible for this benefit.

“Words Alive employees tirelessly serve the San Diego community,” says Words Alive Board Chair Karen Silberman, “and today, I am proud to announce we are investing in our employees by adopting policies that create a more family-supportive workplace.”

Under the new benefit, Words Alive will supplement employees’ paid leave as qualified through the California Family Rights Act and Pregnancy Disability Leave Act.  This benefit will support employees through significant life changes and challenges, including family planning.

California is one of 11 states to administer a state program for paid leave funded through a payroll tax. The state benefit covers roughly two-thirds of an employee’s regular salary during the leave period. For families for whom taking a temporary pay reduction imposes a hardship, employees may choose not to take the full leave time available to bond with children, care for ill family members, or fully recover from pregnancy. By adopting this policy, Words Alive empowers employees to make the best decisions for their family, without financial influence.

“We hope other nonprofits and businesses will join us in creating supportive and caring workplaces for employees and their families,” Executive Director Rachael Orose adds. As such, the text of the Board proposal is available on the Words Alive blog or by contacting [email protected].

Founded in 1999, Words Alive connects children, teens, and families with the power of reading. Words Alive provides access to relevant and quality books, shared reading experiences, and a connection to reading that lays the foundation for continued success.

To learn more about Words Alive visit: www.WordsAlive.org

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PRESS RELEASE: “Concentric Community” Exhibit Open Through October 16

Collaborative Art Project of Words Alive, ArtReach & San Diego Public Library

SAN DIEGO, California (September 28, 2021) –  Demonstrating the resiliency of San Diego’s youth, a moving new collaborative art exhibit, “Concentric Community” is on display at the Mission Valley Public Library through October 16.

Organized by San Diego nonprofits Words Alive, ArtReach, and the San Diego Public Library, this year’s Art & Lit Exhibit engaged 1,210 youth learners to connect reading, writing, and art through the creation of “Identity Circles.” The curated exhibit includes artwork submitted by 250 students across San Diego.

Words Alive Executive Director Rachael Orose says the collaborative partnership between Words Alive, Art Reach San Diego, the San Diego Public Library, and 23 community partners was critical to the success of this year’s project.

“As young people continue to struggle with uncertainty, disconnection, and trauma caused by the ongoing COVID pandemic, this project provided an opportunity for students and families to connect through reading, writing, and art. It’s a testament to the strength of San Diego that so many partners, volunteers, and families came together to amplify the voices of our community’s young people,” said Orose.

Annually, Words Alive spearheads an Art & Lit project designed to help students connect concepts from literature to their lives, through art. This year’s selected books featured characters battling loneliness on their journey to discover themselves, and included: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, Ghost by Jason Reynolds, and The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.

Inspired by painter Alma Thomas’ masterpieces, ArtReach developed the “Identity Circle” concept providing an opportunity for students to develop mindfulness habits and emotional awareness in the creative process. 

San Diego Public Library was a key distribution partner, enabling families throughout the county to access the project.  Libraries distributed kits including this year’s anchor texts and art materials for students to make their “Identity Circles” at home. 

 “Unable to engage with our youth as we did pre-Covid, the Art & Lit Project provided the Library with the opportunity to connect youth in our communities to this engaging and impactful project,” said Emily Derry from the San Diego Public Library. “We are honored to see the students’ authentic artwork come to fruition through pieces that reflect the journey and experiences of our talented youth.”

Thanks to the generosity of philanthropists, volunteers, and community agencies, Art & Lit 2021 provided free books and art supplies to over 1,000 families throughout San Diego. The exhibit is now on display at the Mission Valley Public Library through October 16.

To learn more about the project, visit: www.wordsalive.org/art-lit-2021-community.

 For an interview, or more details, please contact: Rachael Orose, Executive Director, [email protected].,