Agency Details:

South Sound Reading Foundation

In an effort to increase the number of children entering school prepared to learn, read and succeed,
South Sound Reading Foundation exists to ensure that every child is read with 20 minutes a day, from birth. This promotes healthy brain development, family bonding and school readiness.

Description:
The Foundation addresses this mission with 8 programs that: educate families about the importance of reading 20 minutes a day, and strives to ensure that books are available in every home, so that every child is read with daily.
These eight programs include 2 baby partners programs that work with hospitals, pediatricians and other healthcare professionals to get new board books and literacy materials to families in Mason and Thurston Counties with newborns, and again at the 6 month well baby check.
Our reading programs partner with childcare providers and local businesses to provide early literacy skill building story times to area children.
Our bookshelf programs provide free books to correctional facilities and to area agencies serving low-income clients.
Our literacy outreach program gets books into the hands of at-risk youth several times a year to promote reading and to help these children discover and become their potential.
Our Book Van program travels to area events, schools and after school programs to promote reading, distribute literacy materials, educate families and distribute free books. Each year the South Sound Reading Foundation distributes over 30,000 books to South Sound children and families.

History:
In 2000, area school superintendents, school board members, teachers, the Timberland Regional Library, concerned parents, and community partners established the South Sound Reading Foundation (SSRF) which registered as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit in 2001. The purpose of the Reading Foundation was and is to address the growing number of children struggling with literacy and school. SSRF is part of a National Children’s Reading Foundation, an organization committed to early learning and literacy.

Contact person: Jennifer Forster, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (360) 412-4499
Office fax number: (360) 412-4410

Address:

305 College Street NE Lacey, WA 98516 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.readingfoundation.org/southsound

Directions:

Nearest Bus Stop: #62, Martin and College , 5 minutes minute walk

Last updated on July 27, 2009