Words Alive Harnesses Power of Community to Raise More than $110,000

BY VIKKI BOWES-MOK, WORDS ALIVE VOLUNTEER

Words Alive was chosen to participate in the 2023-24 Champions For Youth Campaign, hosted by The Century Club and Farmers Insurance. 

Source: The Century Club of San Diego

“We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of the Champions for Youth campaign,” said Tracy Dahlkamp, MPA, Donor Engagement Manager for Words Alive, who oversaw this year’s campaign. “This is our sixth year participating but our strongest year yet!”

Champions for Youth is an exciting peer-to-peer fundraising campaign that ran from November 28 – January 28. Peer-to-peer fundraising allows Words Alive’s supporters to tap their immediate social circles, such as friends, co-workers, and family members. This year Words Alive had 38 people volunteer to create fundraising pages compared to 32 people in 2022-23.

“The opportunity to participate in the campaign was a fun and exciting way to share with friends the extraordinary mission of Words Alive!,” said Brian Fidler, a Words Alive board member. “So many of the people who made contributions wrote heartfelt and supportive notes of admiration for the work of Words Alive. My wife even organized a pickle ball fundraiser, which drew support far beyond the minimum requested donations.”

The work of the Fidlers along with other supporters generated 627 unique donations, which was first place in number of unique donations. These donations raised $59,281 for Words Alive. This impressive amount made Words Alive eligible for the Farmers Cares Bonus Pool. The 2024 Farmers Cares Bonus Pool is $235,000 and Words Alive received $52,834 in bonus funds, for a grand total of $112,115. This means for every $1 raised Words Alive actually received $1.89.

“What we find truly remarkable, and humbling, is the exceptional dedication of our volunteers who willingly take on the responsibility of fundraising on our behalf,” said Dahlkamp with a grateful smile. “Beyond generously giving their time to our program throughout the year, many amazing volunteers created their own peer-to-peer fundraising pages and enthusiastically raised thousands of dollars on our behalf. It’s so special for us to engage with our volunteers in this way and we are so grateful to be part of it!”

Meet Emanuel, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow

Words Alive is so excited to announce a new addition to the Words Alive team: our AmeriCorps VIP Fellow, Emanuel Prince! Read on to learn more about Emanuel and his drive to join the Words Alive team.

In September 2023, Words Alive was thrilled to welcome Emanuel Prince to the team for an 11-month position as an AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) Fellow. This purpose-driven service opportunity builds and strengthens volunteer programs at partner agencies across California through the service of their members. By focusing on capacity building, volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and partnership building, VIP members level up their site’s volunteer programs and equip the organization to sustain strong volunteer infrastructure after the conclusion of their term. Fellows receive training in volunteer management and professional development throughout their service.

Emanuel joins Words Alive after graduating summa cum laude from California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) with a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a concentration in criminology and justice studies. He was a leader on campus as the first Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of the Mira Costa College Associated Student Government, and chartered the Phi Sigma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, seated at CSUDH. Passionate about serving the Black American community, Emanuel aims to pursue a legal career in civil rights and the public interest sector.

Now, a few words from Emanuel:

What drew you to Words Alive?

After graduating college, I wanted to take a gap year. However, I wanted my gap year to be filled with professional work experience. I applied to a variety of different job opportunities and came across the AmeriCorps VIP Fellowship. Through the fellowship, I connected with Words Alive, which is now the partner site that I will be serving for the next year. What really brought me to Words Alive was our shared belief in serving historically underserved communities. Additionally, we connected in the belief that reading is an essential skill for children to have on their educational journey and future success.

What is your relationship with books and reading?

Personally, I love books, especially as they relate to crime/mystery. One of my favorite novels is The Conjure-Man Dies by Rudolph Fisher. As a kid, I enjoyed The Hunger Games series, The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (which inspired the movie Hugo), and Natalie Babbitt’s Tuck Everlasting.

What are you currently reading?

Towards Zero by Agatha Christie. 

Plot Twist: 2022 Page Turner of the Year Jazmyn George

Welcome to our blog series, Plot Twist! Here, we'll be sharing the stories of people in the Words Alive community — stories of change, growth, and maybe a few surprising twists! We hope that through these stories, you'll get to know our community a little better and see the power of literacy come to life. This article is part of a special edition of this series as it spotlights our incredible volunteers who have been nominated for Words Alive’s 13th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration!

A picture of Jazmyn George.

Hailing from Palatine, Illinois, high school sophomore and our Page Turner of the Year Jazmyn George (she/they) is already trailblazing her way at Words Alive and in the world of literature and writing. Through our Page Turners program, Jazmyn helps inform Words Alive of diverse, relevant books to include in our program curriculum as she reads and assesses different recommended titles. 

Jazmyn began volunteering as a Page Turner after discovering that she was able to gain school credit while engaging in volunteer work, but it didn’t take long for her to realize it was, in her own words, “the perfect role.” As a fast, avid reader since as long as she could remember and now a Page Turner, Jazmyn reads and reviews hundreds of books per year! 

“I’ve always believed that reading—especially [if it’s] good books that you actually connect with, whether it’s [to] your racial background, your experience, stuff like that—has always been a gift, but it’s also fun.”

— Jazmyn George

The cover of Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds.

Her love of books and storytelling is palpable as she animatedly described how re-reading Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, one of her favorite authors later in life as a Page Turner had allowed her to better appreciate the novel’s unique story format and connect more deeply to its moving themes of loss and grief.  

But Jazmyn’s passion as a Page Turner transcends her own interest in just reading great stories—she loves that she’s able to introduce kids to books reflecting the experiences of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized groups that she would have loved to read growing up. Jazmyn shared that until she was thirteen, she had not read any book with a person of color as the main character. So when she signed onto the Page Turners website and saw dozens of titles with queer main characters and different characters that looked like her, she was shocked. “It was like, woah, I honestly didn’t know books like that were accessible!” she exclaimed. “Being able to pass that accessibility onto others is what really keeps me coming back.” 

In addition to sharing diverse and representative stories, Jazmyn also appreciates that she’s able to provide trigger warnings about books to help alert readers to potentially distressing themes. She sums up the impact of her work as a Page Turner as “like giving back to the community” even though she doesn’t live in San Diego. 

“I’m 100% coming back to this. It’s so easy, you just get to read a book, fill out a form, and it helps kids and I enjoy myself, so like, it’s a win-win for everyone!”

— Jazmyn George

Jazmyn’s experience volunteering and reading diverse authors has also encouraged her to continue pursuing her own dream of becoming a writer and publishing her own books. Writing since she was in kindergarten, Jazmyn endeavors to become part of the greater effort and hope that there will be more books written by authors of marginalized groups and diverse characters with narratives that authentically represent lived experiences. She has faith in her passionate, local Gen Z peers and believes that we can create a more diverse literary future by working and pushing for change together! 

We’re so astounded and inspired by you, Jazmyn! We know you’ll make a huge impact—thanks for allowing Words Alive to be a part of that! 

Book recommendations: The Sun is Also a Star and Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon; Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry, and Tobias Iaconis 

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This post was created by Gabby Villadolid, Words Alive’s Storytelling Intern! Do you love writing and have an interest in helping Words Alive create this type of content? We'd love to have you on the team! Email to learn more.

The Words Alive Reader: March 17, 2022

Welcome to the Words Alive Reader, our newsletter keeping you up-to-date with the latest in how we’ve been connecting children, teens, and families to the power of reading. We have exciting new stories and opportunities to share as we continue our celebration of National Reading Month!​​​​​​​

Thank You Bentivoglio Family Fund!

We are thrilled to share Words Alive recently received an astounding $200,000 gift from the Bentivoglio Family Fund - the single largest donation ever received by Words Alive! We are humbled by such an investment in our work to uplift children, teens, and families through the power of reading!

​​​​​​​In partnership with local Head Start, Boys & Girls Clubs, elementary and high schools, and more than 1,000 volunteers all over the world, this historic gift will help Words Alive reach more than 4,500 students and families throughout San Diego this school year. To learn more about this gift, click here.

Reading with Teens at the Jackie Robinson YMCA

This week, Words Alive is launching new spring book clubs for teens at the Jackie Robinson YMCA in collaboration with United Way, San Diego Foundation, and amazing community partners. We are training YMCA leaders to run our Adolescent Book Group for students in the Lincoln High School cluster, starting with the award-winning graphic novel, Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka.

Are you an experienced or past ABG volunteer? We would love your help training and coaching partners to facilitate the program. Email us at [email protected] if you're interested!

New Books and Learning Kits for 2,400 Students

This week 2,460 students at 15 partner schools throughout San Diego will be receiving a new hardcover book - Bruce's Big Storm by Ryan T. Higgins - and a learning kit for each student with the supplies to make their own cloud viewer!

This project is thanks to an amazing collaboration: books were donated by the San Diego Council on Literacy and were paired with a learning kit imagined by the Fleet Science Center, supported by Hunter Industries, and compiled by UCSD's Center for Student Involvement.

Check it out and read along! Click here to download the learning kit and family guide (available in 8 languages). You can find the book at your local library.

2021 Volunteer Trends

Words Alive's volunteers are amazing! Our 2021 Volunteer Round Up report is hot off the presses with incredible data about the community who supports our work!

Did you know:

• 58% of Words Alive's volunteers are under the age of 25

• 35% of our volunteers identify as Asian

• 20% of our volunteers have a graduate degree

• 6% of our volunteers are active-duty military or veterans

Representation matters at Words Alive, and we are dedicated to reflecting our community's lived experiences in everything we do. This report highlights our evolving demographic data on our volunteer base's ever-changing gender, racial, educational diversity and more.

Check it out here to learn more about our 2021 volunteer trends.

Thank you EY!

In a celebration of service, 225 EY employees from around the world participated in Words Alive projects around Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year! We'd like to thank our corporate partner, EY, for their commitment to empowering communities through reading!

Do you have a group of 25+ people and/or might be interested in sponsoring a service day for your team? Email us at [email protected] or call us at 858-274-9673. We'd love to talk about custom group service projects and/or opportunities to host service events at your office.

RSVP For Volunteer Appreciation Celebration

Register at our Zoom link to attend Volunteer Appreciation Celebration!

You are cordially invited to our 13th annual Words Alive Volunteer Appreciation Celebration that will take place virtually on Thursday, April 21 at 4:00 pm Pacific. Words Alive would not be the robust, thriving nonprofit it is today without the contributions of our volunteers!

Join us at this hour-long virtual event by signing up at this Zoom registration link. We hope to see you there as we honor our outstanding volunteers!

This newsletter, in addition to our blog and social media content, is written by us, a cohort of staff, interns and volunteers! Do you love writing and have an interest in helping Words Alive create this type of content? We'd love your help! Email to learn more.

The Words Alive Reader: February 10, 2022

Welcome to the Words Alive Reader, our newsletter keeping you up-to-date with the latest in how we’ve been connecting children, teens, and families to the power of reading. What have we been up to and how can you help? Read on to find out!​​​​​​​

Welcome Families!

This week we welcome 292 families, and their 364 children, to Let's Read with Words Alive, our family literacy program!  

Each week families participate in a 45-minute virtual session, in English or Spanish, reading a story and completing a craft together. Between sessions for the next six weeks, parents will receive SMS-based support from volunteers to encourage at-home reading with their new books.

Teachers at Harriet Tubman Village Charter School sharing Let's Read with Words Alive books.

Through this wave, we are excited to offer parallel tracks for families with preschoolers and those with school-age students (TK-2) through partnerships with:

• Diamond Educational Excellence Partnership

• Edison Elementary

• Freese Elementary

• Harriet Tubman Village Charter School

• Neighborhood House Association

• Rolando Park Elementary

We are deeply grateful to the Dr. Seuss Foundation and Conrad Prebys Foundation for their leadership in helping us transform our family programming this year!

Thank you S. Mark Taper Foundation!

We are so grateful to the S. Mark Taper Foundation for making an incredible $35,000 investment in Words Alive!

The S. Mark Taper Foundation, founded in 1989, is a private family foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of people’s lives by supporting nonprofit organizations and their work in our communities.

Unrestricted support, like this, enables us to invest in our incredible staff, develop new connections with community agencies, and build our capacity to reach more children, teens, and families. Thank you, S. Mark Taper Foundation!

Welcome Board Members!

Please join us in welcoming Meredith Baratz and Laura Galinson to the Words Alive Board of Directors! 

We look forward to their wealth of expertise and leadership to foster Words Alive's growth. You can learn more about Meredith and Laura, as well as the rest of our Board members, here.

If you're interested in serving on our Board of Directors or supporting one of our many committees providing professional guidance to the organization, please reach out to Rachael Orose to start a conversation.

Read Aloud Volunteers Needed

Help children learn to become a reader by volunteering today!

Each week, teachers and principals ask how Words Alive volunteers might read aloud with their students. If you are excited about reading remarkable stories aloud with classrooms of children (TK-3rd grade) and can commit to read for one hour a week through May, we have a spot for you!

We have virtual and in-person openings for readers at schools in central and southeast San Diego. 

Our best Read Aloud volunteers are excited, engaging, and love sharing stories.  No prior experience is necessary! Volunteers bilingual in Spanish and English are in high demand. 

We host weekly, virtual volunteer orientations where you can learn more. You can also email us for more details.

This newsletter, in addition to our blog and social media content, is written by us, a cohort of staff and volunteers! Do you love writing and have an interest in helping Words Alive create this type of content? We'd love your help! Email to learn more.

The Words Alive Reader: January 12, 2022

Happy New Year and welcome to the Words Alive Reader, our newsletter keeping you up-to-date with the latest in how we've been connecting children, teens, and families to the power of reading. What have we been up to and how can you help? Read on to find out!​​​​​​​

We Need Your Help

We have an incredible opportunity to connect thousands of readers to Words Alive: Christopher Weil & Company, Inc. is matching the next $5,000 donated to support Words Alive in the Champions for Youth competition! 

Your gift will reach twice as many children and bring us closer to our $60,000 goal before the January 30 deadline.

​​​​​​​Every gift counts! Even if you're a regular donor to Words Alive, a simple $10 gift made on this link can help.

Through the Champions for Youth competition, Words Alive earns bonus funds from the Century Club of San Diego and Farmers Insurance based on how we rank, against five other charities, in two categories: number of donors and funds raised. Thanks to Christopher Weil & Company, Inc.'s match, your gift today will propel us forward in both categories. 

 A very special thanks to the William Gumpert Foundation and the S. Bernstein Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation for matching earlier gifts to the campaign, enabling us to reach the first 75% of our $60,000 goal.

Volunteers Compile Hundreds of Learning Kits from Home

Debbie Wappler, volunteer, stands with hundreds of Learning Kits she, her family, and colleagues created.

During the holidays, Debbie Wappler mobilized her family and colleagues at Commonwealth Financial to compile 700+ Learning Kits for children and families participating in this spring's "Let's Read with Words Alive" family literacy program.

Debbie set up assembly lines at her home and office to compile take-home bags for families reading two titles, Penguinaut! and Giraffes Can't Dance.

Learning Kits include tips for families, a copy of a book, and a simple craft activity related to each title. Since the new COVID variant is limiting our ability to compile kits at our office, we're looking for volunteers, like Debbie, interested in organizing family, neighbors, or colleagues to help compile the remaining Learning Kits at your home or office for our spring sessions.

Our Program Coordinator, Murphy Hernandez, can help you get started. He can be reached at [email protected] or 858-274-9673.

Welcome New Team Members

We are thrilled to welcome amazing new team members to Words Alive.

Jenn Belgarde joins Words Alive as our Young Adult Program Manager, leading our signature programs for youth ages 12-24. 

Kristi Stoza joins Words Alive as our Engagement Coordinator, playing a key role in mobilizing volunteers and engaging donors. 

Read about Jenn and Kristi on our blog.

We are also thrilled to welcome Julie Chen, a student at UCSD and our new Page Turners intern. Know someone interested in learning more about working with nonprofits? We are currently recruiting for spring and summer volunteer interns. Details here.

Volunteer Opportunities Available

Help young children learn to become a reader by volunteering today!

New in 2022, we're thrilled to expand our programming at many school sites throughout San Diego - reaching more classrooms and more ages. 

For example, at Rolando Park Elementary, a new partner in 2022, our volunteers are starting the new year both reading aloud to elementary students and leading family literacy workshops.

This is creating many new, engaging volunteer opportunities both virtually and in-person. To learn about ways you might be able to help, we host weekly volunteer orientations. Click here to find the virtual orientation schedule and more details. 

This newsletter, in addition to our blog and social media content, is written by us, a cohort of staff and volunteers! Do you love writing and have an interest in helping Words Alive create this type of content? We'd love your help! Email to learn more.

The Power of Volunteering

This post was written by Brooke Gallegos, a high school student and Words Alive volunteer.

A picture of Brooke.

Personally speaking, volunteering has helped and changed me so much more than I could have ever imagined. I decided to volunteer in order to gain hours for school and maybe help people along the way, but it soon became much more than that. I have struggled with anxiety my whole life and nothing has truly worked in soothing it.

But when I began helping people, all of a sudden, I felt myself become better for the first time in a long time by watching others’ lives improve at the same time. When you volunteer and truly witness the importance of dedicating your time to others, it becomes so much more than accumulating hours for honors or a way to fill your spare time. As you help change the world in your own backyard, it changes you, too. This is not simply a belief or an opinion — it's even backed up by science! Volunteering is good for the body, mind, and soul. 

How Volunteering is Good for Your Body

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” -Elizabeth Andrew, 20th century political activist.

Volunteers from the University of California, San Diego leap for joy on their way to compile Words Alive’s Learning Kits to help students learn from home.

This is absolutely true not only in a metaphorical sense, but in a scientific one as well. Not only do volunteers have kind, caring hearts that yearn to help others; they are also physically healthy because of the work they do. From handing out books to creating craft kits to organizing a fundraiser, activities that keep volunteers up and moving can also provide physical health benefits. In 1992, a Health and Retirement Study tested 7,100 individuals over the age of 50 who volunteered for at least 200 hours a year. The study found that those who volunteered in comparison to those who did not were less likely to develop high blood pressure which leads to stroke, heart failure, and early death. Physical benefits are not true solely for our seniors, but for young people as well. A study conducted on adolescents who volunteered one hour a week concluded that volunteering produced healthy hearts and a lower BMI. In a world where pressure can push in from all sides and stress comes on when you least expect it, volunteering can provide a remedy. 

How Volunteering is Good for Your Mind

A Words Alive volunteer reads aloud with a group of kindergarten students as part of our Read Aloud Program.

Volunteering does not only soothe the stress monsters that attack your body, but also the ones that weigh on your mind. Episodes of depression and anxiety can strike at any time during periods of loneliness, but if you experience meaningful social interactions with others, these ailments are soothed. For those who may be experiencing an identity crisis later in their lives, volunteering can provide confidence and a sense of purpose from feeling needed and appreciated. Humans are designed to thrive when helping others. According to recent findings, being helpful by volunteering produces what can be described as “happy hormones.” Volunteering can spark physical reactions that actually improve mental health and wellbeing. 

In addition to these mental health benefits, people can begin to shift their focus away from themselves by recognizing the problems others may be facing, too. People begin to rise out of their despair by being a part of something bigger than themselves. As supported by former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s research, service is a remedy to loneliness. Our place and purpose in the world are given validity when we positively impact the lives of others — and ultimately, the future. When you're engaged in your community today, you can help create a better tomorrow for everyone, including yourself.

How Volunteering is Good for Your Soul

A Words Alive volunteer ‘reading role model’ and the classroom with whom she reads with children each week - just after giving every child a book to keep as part of the program.

Your physical and emotional well-being are not the only things fostered by volunteering — your soul is, too. The soul is fostered by connecting with the community and living by the mindset that makes the most of today; for yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come. When you witness the impact of your actions, from the look on a young child’s face when they find a book they love, to the reaction of a parent when they witness the beginning of a love for reading, your soul is better for it. The skills and knowledge you have gained throughout your life can be utilized to improve the lives of others while also providing you with a sense of motivation.

Volunteering is really all about a choice when frequently, a lot of things in life are not. In a life that is too short, we have the choice and the opportunity to remain in the moment while improving the lives of others. Is that not what life is all about? Seizing the moment and helping change the world.

Volunteers in Words Alive’s teen program, Adolescent Book Group, hold up examples of the powerful, diverse, and engaging novels they read with teens in the book club style program.

Martin Luther King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” What are you doing for someone else? How are you making the world a better place right now? You can begin volunteering to answer that question. However, once you start doing something for others, you start doing something for yourself, too. You begin improving your mind, body, and soul. Whether you help develop curriculum, read a book, organize a fundraiser, or simply donate, the key to changing the world while also changing yourself is right around the corner.

If you’d like to start your volunteering journey at Words Alive, click here to learn more. 

The Words Alive Reader: December 14, 2021

Welcome to The Words Alive Reader, a regular newsletter keeping you up-to-date with the latest in how we've been connecting children, teens, and families to the power of reading. What have we been up to and how can you help? Read on to find out!

On Track to Reach 100,000 Touchpoints

Maliyah proudly sharing her rocketship she created after reading "Penguinaut!" by Marcie Colleen in our Family Literacy Program.

"I never knew you could incorporate play into reading, it just never occurred to me.  But, it's a wonderful strategy and I see the difference in my daughter's learning when this technique is used!  [It is] so much more complete and extensive. She will talk about a story for days now!"

 - Danielle, about her daughter Maliyah participating in our Family Literacy Program

By helping Danielle, and hundreds of parents each year, nurture the power of reading through play, we increase their awareness of how they can support their children on the path to become life-long learners.  We are proudly on track to provide 100,00 similar touchpoints this school year with parents and students across San Diego!

Calling All Volunteers

Have you been looking for a chance to volunteer with students and families? Now's your chance!

Beginning in January, we will be starting new sessions (virtually and in-person) with nearly 1,000 students across San Diego!  Opportunities to help include working with:

• Teens: 4-6 volunteers explore books with a classroom of students through discussion, creative writing, and activities every other week.

• Children (TK-3rd): Volunteers are matched with a classroom to read aloud weekly.

• Families: 2-3 volunteers guide a cohort of families through stories and craft activities once a week in this 6-week workshop series.

No previous classroom experience needed - just a love of reading and working with children, teens, and families! We provide robust training, resources, and support to help you succeed. Email [email protected] or call 858-274-9673 to learn more or sign up for a training.

$10 Could Unlock Thousands

Words Alive is one of only 6 San Diego youth charities to participate in Champions for Youth, a fundraising competition administered by The Century Club of San Diego.  The organization with the most donors that make a gift between now and January 30 could earn a prize of more than $35,000!

Your donation of $10 (or more) could be the one that puts Words Alive over the top and earns tens of thousands of bonus for the children, teens, and families we serve. You can help by making a $10 gift today.

Other Ways to Give

There are many ways to give to Words Alive this holiday season!

 1) Find our wishlist here.  You can purchase books and school supplies that we critically need for our programming. 

 2) When you shop these businesses, they donate a portion of their sales to Words Alive. 

 3) We accept all types of gifts including stock/securities, IRA rollovers and conversions, legacy gifts, donor advised fund gifts, and more. Click here for details.

This newsletter, in addition to our blog and social media content, is written by us, a cohort of staff and volunteers! Do you love writing and have an interest in helping Words Alive create this type of content? We'd love your help! Email to learn more.

The Words Alive Reader: November 4, 2021

Welcome to The Words Alive Reader, a regular newsletter keeping you up-to-date with the latest in how we've been connecting children, teens, and families to the power of reading. What have we been up to and how can you help? Read on to find out!

We’re Back in School!

Image of book given out to Read Aloud students and craft puppets created to help students retell the story.

In October, Read Aloud volunteers kicked off the school year in an epic way!  Volunteers read We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins with 1,530 elementary students across 51 virtual and in-person classrooms. Every student received a book to keep, a clothespin-puppet craft activity, and family discussion guide (available in 8 languages) to bring the joy of reading home. 

One teacher from Burbank Elementary shared:

"My students were so excited to get a new book...I heard from the families that their children use the puppets to retell the story [at home].  We are so fortunate to count on you to provide excellent literacy content. Our reader, Mrs. Hopkins, is amazing.  She connects with the students really well." 

We are building a love of reading and home libraries thanks to the remarkable and collaborative investments from donors and volunteers. If you'd like to help us reach more students, click here to become a monthly donor or email us so we can help you find your on-ramp.

North County Philanthropy Council Volunteer of the Year: Jim McIlhon

Graphic congratulating Mr. Jim McIlhon on being honored as a 2021 Volunteer of the Year

Words Alive is proud to celebrate James "Mr. Jim" McIlhon as a Volunteer of the Year at the North County Philanthropy Council's 2021 Volunteer Awards Celebration, held Friday, November 5. You may recognize Mr. Jim from Facebook Live, where his Story Station videos exploring books and modeling read aloud best practices have been viewed more than 250,000 times!  Learn more about Mr. Jim here.

More than 1,600 passionate volunteers help us bring words alive for children, teens, and families. Click to find opportunities to volunteer.

Thank You to The Conrad Prebys Foundation!

Child doing a craft project while following along with virtual Family Literacy Program

Words Alive is thrilled to announce an extraordinary $80,000 investment from The Conrad Prebys Foundation to grow our programming for families. Through our Family Literacy Program, hundreds of families explore early literacy and language development while connecting reading with play. 

This gift allows us to hire our first dedicated staff to the program at a time when supporting family learning is most critical. You can learn more about this extraordinary investment from The Conrad Prebys Foundation here.

Author’s Luncheon & Fundraiser Postponed

Attendees at a past Author’s Luncheon sitting around a table.

We've decided to move our annual Author's Luncheon and Fundraiser to Spring 2022. We're hoping to welcome you to an in-person event celebrating the resilience and passion of our community throughout the pandemic. Date and details are forthcoming.

For a limited time, you can watch last year's virtual event with Ayad Akhtar, discussing his novel Homeland Elegies, for free here. 

Interested in supporting our Author's Luncheon & Fundraiser? We'd love to connect.

Welcome New Staff

Image of two new staff members - Faryl Kander, Family Program Manager; Murphy Hernandez, Program Coordinator

Please join us in welcoming two new staff members to our organization, Dr. Faryl Kander, Family Program Manager, and Murphy Hernandez, Program Coordinator! We're excited about the unique skills and experiences they bring to Words Alive. 

 The demand for our programming continues to soar amidst this time of post-traumatic growth. Find staff and intern positions and volunteer opportunities on our website.

Stay Connected

Graphic saying “Follow Us” @WordsAliveSd

Follow us on social media for daily updates about how our Words Alive community makes a difference in the lives of children, teens, and families.

Follow @WordsAliveSD on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. 

You'll find examples of Words Alive "In The News" on our website as well.

This newsletter, in addition to our blog and social media content, is written by us, a cohort of staff and volunteers! Do you love writing and have an interest in helping Words Alive create this type of content? We'd love your help! Email to learn more.

North County Philanthropy Council Recognizes Jim McIlhon as a Volunteer of the Year

Volunteers are critical to to brining words alive for children, teens, and families we serve. Our volunteers bring their own lived experiences to our work, supporting the culture of appreciation and inclusion we foster. We are proud to celebrate one of those volunteers, James McIlhon, as he accepts the award for Volunteer of the Year from the North County Philanthropy Council.

You may recognize “Mr. Jim” from our Story Station videos on Facebook Live, where his videos have been viewed more than a quarter-of-a-million times. Before taking to the digital airwaves, Mr. Jim supported our Read Aloud Program as a classroom reader, reading to preschoolers since 2018. When we asked teachers to describe Mr. Jim’s Read Aloud sessions in one word, they said “Engaged, awesome, fantastic, enthusiastic.”

When asked about why he volunteers for Words Alive, Mr. Jim said, “Reading allows us to broaden the imagination, take us to other worlds, and deepen our sense of shared experiences, trials, and joy. If I can be a spark that generates curiosity in books and encourages reading habits at home, then our youngest cohorts can begin the journey to successful learning and discovery of their own limitless potential.”

To support the growth of Words Alive, we have activated 1,600+ volunteers, locally and globally, to invest their time, talent, and expertise in support of San Diego’s youth. Volunteers participate in trainings to help them think, respond, and engage in ways that honor diverse voices and the lived experiences of families. Uniquely, we are seeing that connections through text are building bridges of understanding between Words Alive volunteers and the families we serve.

 Considering volunteering with Words Alive today! Learn more about volunteer opportunities at our website: Become A Volunteer — Words Alive.

Congratulations Mr. Jim – and thank you for bringing words alive for children and families in our community and around the country!