Meet our November Page Turner of the Month!

EACH MONTH WORDS ALIVE RECOGNIZES PARTICIPANTS IN OUR PAGE TURNERS PROGRAM IN APPRECIATION FOR THE THOUGHTFUL FEEDBACK THEY SHARE WHEN REVIEWING TITLES WE ARE CONSIDERING FOR OUR CLASSROOM PROGRAMMING.

This month, we are proud to celebrate Nanna Steffensen for her contributions to the Page Turners. Since joining the Page Turners in 2022, Nanna has reviewed 12 titles, totaling 48 hours spent volunteering for this program. Thank you for your insightful feedback and endless passion for connecting children, teens, and families to the power of reading!

Now, let’s learn more about Nanna.

Q: LET’S START WITH A BRIEF INTRODUCTION—TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW YOU CAME ACROSS WORDS ALIVE AND THE PAGE TURNERS PROGRAM!

I am a 32-year-old woman living in San Diego with my husband and my daughter Lily, who is close to 2 years old. I stay at home with her until she is old enough to attend a preschool starting next year.  

Q: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH THE PAGE TURNERS PROGRAM?

I am from Denmark originally, I moved here with my husband at the beginning of 2019 because he was being relocated. I had never been outside Europe before, so it was a huge and scary step. But I started using the app Meetup to meet new people, and volunteering was also my way of getting out. So when the pandemic hit, and I got pregnant, I needed to find something to do from home, and that’s where I found the Page Turner program online. It sounded like the perfect match for me, reading books for a good purpose. I was hooked, and I still am.  

I love reading, as you can possibly imagine. I think books are the most rewarding thing that you do for yourself because it opens our minds and gives us a chance to reflect, learn, laugh, and maybe even cry at times. You can visit every place in the world, and even visit new worlds and places. You only need your imagination.  

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF VOLUNTEERING?

I also enjoy watching a good series or a movies just as much. To be active, I enjoy walking around (I do not drive, so walking has always been my thing), and hiking on weekend (the nature here is Southern California is stunning), and I do Pilates a couple of times a week.  

Q: HAS READING WITH PAGE TURNERS IMPACTED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON SOCIETY OR YOUR COMMUNITY?  

I love books that open my eyes, so to speak, so I would say that my favorite titles so far must be “All Boys Aren’t Blue”, and “Being Heumann.” Both titles are being told by people who have lived very different lives from my own, and admire them both for their bravery, honesty, and strong wills. They have been fighting for themselves, others and for the future. They are still going strong, even though life has not always been easy on them. This is admirable in my opinion. I think books like this are very important especially for our young readers, since there are not tons of literature like this, and they are needed.   

Meet our October Page Turner of the Month!

EACH MONTH WORDS ALIVE RECOGNIZES PARTICIPANTS IN OUR PAGE TURNERS PROGRAM IN APPRECIATION FOR THE THOUGHTFUL FEEDBACK THEY SHARE WHEN REVIEWING TITLES WE ARE CONSIDERING FOR OUR CLASSROOM PROGRAMMING.

This month, we are proud to celebrate Meredith Young for her contributions to the Page Turners. Since joining the Page Turners in 2022, Meredith has reviewed 19 titles (reading over 5,000 pages), totaling 154.5 hours spent volunteering for this program. Thank you for your insightful feedback and endless passion for connecting children, teens, and families to the power of reading!

Now, let’s learn more about Meredith.

Q: LET’S START WITH A BRIEF INTRODUCTION—TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW YOU CAME ACROSS WORDS ALIVE AND THE PAGE TURNERS PROGRAM!

A: My name is Meredith H. Young and I'm a Junior at Shorecrest High School. I’m from Shoreline, Washington.

Q: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH THE PAGE TURNERS PROGRAM?

I came across Page Turners in a very bland way. I had gotten tired of my current community service project (Making masks, I made 120+!) and was scrolling through JustServe.org to find a new one that I could do at home. I scrolled for at least an hour before I came across Page Turners and I considered it a gold mine for volunteer hours. I work towards the President Volunteer Service Award every year so this program has been very helpful to me in accumulating hours.

Q: HAS READING WITH PAGE TURNERS IMPACTED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON SOCIETY OR YOUR COMMUNITY?

Reading books from Page Turners has given me a wider selection of books than I would've had otherwise. This selection has allowed me to learn new things and learn about different people. For instance, reading the March series sparked my interest in learning more about the Civil Rights movement, which led me to learn about Malcolm X and read his autobiography.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF VOLUNTEERING?

Outside of volunteering, I love to write and read other books. I also love to walk my dog Mobi, and play video games with my friends.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK SO FAR?

My favorite books from Page Turners have been Between Perfect & Real, Warcross (I finished the series), Bamboo People, and the March series. But my favorite all time book from Page Turners has been The Firekeeper's daughter. It was absolutely a wonderful read.

Thank You to Everyone Who Supported Words Alive’s First Author’s Café!

Last week on October 3, New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand visited us for our very first Author’s Café event. In our tradition of bringing community together to celebrate literacy, audience members experience a lively and memorable discussion about Elin’s newest book Endless Summer: Stories From Days That Last Forever.  

At the brand-new UC San Diego’s Park & Market location, attendees dressed in red and white shades of peppermint candy so they could match with Elin, who famously assigns a different color palette for every stop of her book tour. Words Alive staff even set out branded wine glasses filled with peppermints as fun party favors for guests to take home, along with their autographed copy of Endless Summer. 

Elin is a seasoned romance novel author, having written nearly 30 books since graduating from University of Iowa Writers Workshop with her MFA in 1998. Most of her books are set in Nantucket Island, where she currently lives with her three children. She plans to retire with her last summer romance in 2024 and become a book influencer. 

Thank you to Elin and those at Warwick’s who helped make this event possible! Our longstanding partnership with Warwick’s in La Jolla, the country’s oldest continuously family-owned and operated bookstore, has allowed us to invite world-class authors to San Diego and raise money for our mission of supporting literacy in the local area. 

Special thanks to our moderator, Sarah Z. Sleeper, and our sponsors: Geppetto’s Toys, Nordson, The Camp Transformation Center, Laura Galinson & Jodi Diamond, and Mary Weatherup.  

We relished connecting to Endless Summer in a powerful way that develops community and connection with one another. Stay tuned to see which author we get to connect with next at our Spring 2023 Author’s Luncheon! 

Meet Our New Young Adult Program Manager, Marisol Vasquez !

We are so excited to announce a new addition to the Words Alive team: our new Young Adult Program Manager, Marisol Vasquez! Read on to learn more about Marisol and their drive to join the Words Alive team!

Marisol (they/them & she/her) is an activist and educator with a career centered around the critical relationship between K-12 education and reproductive justice. She graduated from San Diego State University in 2018 with a degree in Political Science and minor in Chicana/o Studies. Marisol comes to Words Alive with ten years of social justice and community organizing experience. Marisol has been recognized for her contributions by the Human Rights Campaign in 2014 for the Outstanding Youth Award and again in 2018 by SDSU for the Ned Joy Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Leadership & Community. A self-described lifelong-learner, Marisol is excited to share her enthusiasm for literary empowerment with students and volunteers alike.

Now a few words from Marisol!

What intrigued you about Words Alive? Why did you want to join the team?

I was determined to join the team before I had even finished reading the job description for the position. My personal values are incredibly linked to the mission and values of Words Alive. I became a student advocate quickly and haven’t stopped working to support others and foster a love of learning. My career is dedicated to supporting and empowering marginalized youth through education, and Words Alive has amazing partners who support families experiencing extraordinary circumstances—this is very much a dream job to me, and I am ecstatic to be a part of such a talented team.

What are you most excited about in your new position?

I am probably most excited for the incredible people I am partnered with through the Adolescent Book Group. Not only do I get to work with the communities I am most passionate about, I get to work with educators and volunteers who are just as passionate about these communities.

What is your relationship with literacy and learning?

My relationship to literacy and learning is incredibly political and personal. By the time I left kindergarten, I had watched my mom earn her master’s degree while I was learning how to read. Conversely, when my grandma was in kindergarten, she wasn’t allowed to read the books in her classroom because she is Mexican. My family raised me to understand clearly that the passion to learn and read is an economic advantage and the key to personal empowerment. I am grateful to my family that my love of reading and writing has always been encouraged and I look forward to sharing that encouragement with others.

What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts by Rebecca Hall. It’s a fantastic graphic novel telling the story of the historian writing the book and the women she learns about along the way. It combines my two favorite genres of historical nonfiction and biographies

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We are so excited to have Marisol on our team! Are you interested in working with Words Alive? You can find open internship and employment opportunities here or click here to learn about how to volunteer with us!

Celebrate International Literacy Day by Bringing Literacy to San Diego Students and Families!

by: Alyssa Broda, Words Alive Engagement Director

Mateo with his copy of Rita and Ralph’s Rotten Day, and his flower crown craft.

International Literacy Day is this Thursday, September 8 and Words Alive will be celebrating by gearing up to bring the power of reading to over 5,000 students this upcoming school year. It is more important than ever that our San Diego community comes together to ensure all children have access to the enrichment that comes with being a reader. You have the power to make that happen, and there is no better day to support reading than International Literacy Day.

Here is how you can support literacy in San Diego to celebrate:

Join us at the Words Alive office to pack learning kits on Thursday, September 8 at 3:00pm. To celebrate International Day of Literacy, we will be gearing up for our fall programming by assembling learning kits that will be used in our Read Aloud Program, Family Literacy Program and Adolescent Book Group starting October 3. These learning kits include new books, school supplies and a craft or activity thematically tied to the text that our students are able to keep, deepening their connection to reading. Sign up at this link!

Volunteers pack learning kits at the Words Alive office.

Support our mission by donating to Words Alive through San Diego Gives. On Thursday, September 8, the San Diego community is celebrating San Diego Gives, a 24-hour online event to support local nonprofits. Our goal of $1,000 would provide one classroom of students three brand new books. You can donate via credit card, PayPal, Venmo and your donor advised fund. Your generosity would give access to books that reflect the life experiences of the students we serve and shed light on new possibilities, expanding their worlds. You can give early at this link!

Sign up for other volunteer opportunities to support literacy throughout the year. If you are looking to commit to the mission of literacy beyond September 8, we have openings in all three of our programs for in-classroom volunteers. As we return to in-person programming, you can serve as a volunteer facilitator leading consistent sessions at our partner schools. If you are interested, you can sign up to attend one of our volunteer orientations. Our fall programming begins October 3!

Thank you for joining Words Alive in our mission to connect children, teens, and families to the power of reading on this upcoming International Literacy Day. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Engagement Director, Alyssa Broda, at [email protected].

Meet our September Page Turner of the Month!

Each month Words Alive recognizes participants in our Page Turners program in appreciation for the thoughtful feedback they share when reviewing titles we are considering for our classroom programming.

This month, we are proud to celebrate Carleen O’Reilly for her contributions to the Page Turners. Since joining the Page Turners in 2020, Carleen has reviewed 11 titles (reading over 900 pages), totaling 32.5 hours spent volunteering for this program. Thank you for your insightful feedback and endless passion for connecting children, teens, and families to the power of reading!

Now, without further ado, let’s learn more about Carleen!

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Q: Let’s start with a brief introduction—tell us a bit about yourself and how you came across Words Alive and the Page Turners program!

A: Hi! I am so honored to be the August Page Turner of the Month! I first learned about Words Alive when a colleague of mine started as the Executive Director. Yes, I'm talking about the brilliant Rachael Orose.

Q: How did you get started with the Page Turners program?

A: Like so many with downtime during COVID safer-at-home directives, I started to look for remote opportunities and remembered seeing Page Turners on the Words Alive website.

Carleen poses with family in front of trees.

I never considered myself to be a "reader," so I started with elementary-aged books to share with my sons, like "The Undefeated" and "The Proudest Blue: A story of Hijab and Family". When my older son transitioned to middle school, I did too. One day, he walked into my room and saw "Some Assembly Required: The Not-So-Secret Life of a Transgender Teen" on my dresser. I noticed him read the title and I asked if he knew what the word 'transgender' meant. He said "Yes, there was a character in one of the graphic novels you got me with a transgender boy." Never did I think that reading these books would spark important conversations with my 11-year-old to learn more about how he sees and understands society.

Q: Has reading with Page Turners impacted your perspective on society or your community?

This program has inspired me so much, and I have recommended it to several friends as a way to volunteer their time. By far, my favorite book has been "The Best At It." It was a fun read and I could see a bit of myself struggling to embrace my place in school and understand how my family's culture played a significant role in who I am.

Q: What are your hobbies outside of volunteering?

A: Outside of reading, you can find me chasing my boys around Memphis doing all the sports and playing outdoors. I look forward to many more titles to recommend to the Words Alive bookshelves!

Want to learn more about the Page Turners? Find your next great read here!

Welcome Board Members!

Please join us in welcoming Julie Dubik and Julia Loman to the Words Alive Board of Directors!

Julie Dubik is the Strategic Partnerships Advisor for The Conrad Prebys Foundation, which includes impact investing, public private partnerships and community work on behalf of San Diego’s largest private foundation.

Julie brings a diverse background in nonprofit work, government and business. She has served on Boards or facilitated strategic planning for a wide variety of local and regional nonprofits, including serving as former President and a co-founder of the San Diego Women’s Foundation, former Board Chair of The Monarch School, former governance chair of the San Diego and Imperial County Girl Scouts, former Audit Chair of the California Women’s Foundation, member of the Scripps Health Foundation board, and former Board Chair, PsychArmor.

She served as the Director of Policy and Chief of Staff to former Mayor Jerry Sanders. She is a founding and current Board member of Endeavor Bank, a local community bank supporting San Diego small and medium sized businesses. Julie is the former CEO of Pro Kids-First Tee, San Diego. Julie was a partner and member of the executive committee for the law firm of Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek. Before joining the firm, she worked for the federal government as the Assistant Director of the United States Marshals Service and as a trial attorney for the United States Justice Department. She is currently an adjunct Professor of Law at California Western School of Law.

Julie is a contributing author to two books: “The Workers” and “It’s Harder in Heels”, and the recipient of several community awards. She is married to Mitchell Dubick, a partner at Higgs, Fletcher & Mack and they have 3 children: Jessica, David, and Gabrielle.

Julia Loman, MS, has been committed to social change, anti-bias, and multi-cultural practices for over 25 years. She has been in the early care and education field for 27 years, working with families and children ages 0-12 in various settings and positions, from classroom teacher to program director. She currently works with Neighborhood House Association’s Head Start Program in San Diego, CA and an Early Care and Education Consultant. 

 Her passion for social justice and anti-racism was nurtured at a young age by her father, who taught Black Studies. She has woven this passion into everything she does personally and professionally. Her love of books was also nurtured by her family. She read Ayn Rand’s 750-page novel “The Fountainhead” her senior year of high school in 2 days, just for fun!  Her favorite audiobook is “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates. In addition to holding a bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a Child Development Focus and master’s in Organizational Management and Leadership, Julia is the proud parent of a twenty-three-year-old and step-bonus mom to a six-year-old, her ultimate child development experiments!

We look forward to their wealth of expertise and leadership to foster Words Alive's growth. You can learn more about Julie and Julia, 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.

Introducing our 2022-2023 Theme: Authentic Voices

Written by: Melinda Cooper, Words Alive Program Director

Student in summer programming connecting themes from a story and their authentic voice in a writing exercise.

When you hear the phrase “true, authentic voice,” what comes to mind? Maybe you thought of speaking the truth, keeping it real, or being the genuine article. Maybe you thought of being worthy of acceptance, or, simply, of being good.

Authenticity is universally valued across groups, cultures, and societies. People of all backgrounds understand the importance and power of being authentic. After all, authenticity build trust amongst individuals and communities, who themselves have the power to ensure that healthy systems are nurtured and sustained to support current and future generations.

Self-expression comes naturally to children, as all caregivers and teachers know, and at Words Alive, we believe in the ability of families and communities to co-create self-expression with their children and we are committed to nurturing the resiliency of children and teens through the transformative power of reading and storytelling using authentic voices.

When young learners hear and resonate with the stories of others, they learn more about themselves. Through exposure to consistent, responsible role models enthusiastic around reading, as well as access to high quality curriculum and materials, young learners in our programs are able to draw and explore connections with the texts, which supports their healthy self-expression, brain development, social-emotional skills, and future successes. 

Author, Marcie Colleen, with a family who just received their new copy of Penguinaut!

This year, 5,000 students from across our programs and the region will participate in a series of volunteer-led, dynamic sessions including discussions, creative writing, books to keep, and art! Our anchor texts will feature characters navigating challenges and friendships on their journey to discover and celebrate their authentic selves.

In our Family Literacy and Read Aloud programs, which collectively serve kids from preschool to third grade, you’ll find us reading such books as:

•  The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors by Drew Daywait

• Penguinat! by Marcie Colleen

• Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival

 Youth participating in our Adolescent Book Group program will be reading texts throughout the school year that represent a range of intersectional identities, family structures, and socially relevant issues. Titles include:

•  Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

• The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

• Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles

In addition to carefully developed reading guides, discussion questions, and instructions for families in their home language(s), young scholars will also receive learning kits to keep and take home. Our learning kits are thoughtfully equipped with the tools young readers can use to help bring the stories alive and draw connections between the text, themselves, and the world.

As students read fresh and relevant texts about characters who face challenges with resilience, courage, and kindness, these young scholars will develop the ability to reflect on their own tribulations and sharpen their coping skills. Talking to each other about the texts and reading aloud to one another builds their confidence and emotional awareness while also developing their vocabulary and critical thinking.

Teens in our Adolescent Book Group program reading Hey Kiddo!

As they connect to the topics and themes of the texts through curriculum-backed crafts and creative writing activities, the young scholars in our programs are motivated to engage with their own authentic voices in a way that is fun, impactful, and sustainable for a lifetime.

Congrats to Our Family Literacy Program for Being Recognized at EDInnovate Showcase!

Last month, Words Alive received the Advancing Social Justice and Equity Award at the EDInnovate Showcase with The Jacobs Institute in Education at the University of San Diego. Our video entry presented the success of our Let’s Read Family Literacy Program model in equitably engaging families in the power of reading.

The EDInnovate Showcase is a virtual showcase, networking and awards event, designed for the educator community to share their work with other innovators, get feedback and receive recognition as an emerging EDInnovation leader. This year’s theme was “Inspiring Hope, Creating Joy and Igniting Potential!”

At Words Alive, we know that young readers grow on the laps of their parents and caregivers. Yet, research tells us that parents from underserved communities are far less likely to have access to parent education programs that support a working knowledge of literacy development and the skills that promote positive reading habits at home. 

Our Family Literacy Program aims to empower parents as agents of change and advocates for their families by hosting workshops that teach them about early literacy development topics specific to preschool age children. Grounded in the power of play, each workshop includes a tailored information sessions and skill-building exercises for parents, a group story time and guided activities for parents and children. Not only do parents learn how to best support their child through these workshops, but the whole family grows their reading library and develops good reading habits together.

“Words Alive being recognized for the Advancing Social Justice and Equity Award was particularly meaningful and important to me,” said Dr. Faryl Kander, Family Program Manager. “Every day in education news outlets, concerns regarding children being academically behind, specifically in reading, are mentioned. Arguments over teaching approaches dominate the response to this concern while the underlying problem of access and equity in education is not addressed. Putting books in readers’ hands and creating joyful reading experiences for families is amazing, yet knowing that we are advancing social justice by creating access and equity is everything!”

Click below to see our submission and to learn more about our Family Literacy Program:

If you’re interested in getting involved with Words Alive or our Family Literacy Program, check out our volunteer opportunities here: https://www.wordsalive.org/becomeavolunteer

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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