Welcome!

Welcome

Just what is "The Gap?" We are hearing the term more frequently as early literacy leaders and nonprofits are waving a red flag trying to get our attention. We have learned that there is a significant educational and literacy gap among the children of various socio-economic groups in contemporary America. We know that 90% of the development of a child's brain happens before age 6, which leads us to understand that the roots of this disparity begin at a very early age. And there is no secret to how it begins. 60% of low-income American children grow up in houses that have zero books. 80% of our pre-schools and after school programs have no books. But, what are we going to do about it?

At REadingADvantage we believe we can do something. By pulling together with other nonprofits, local libraries, schools and funders, we can supply children with books from birth on. We can provide low-income homes with a home library. We can talk to parents and encourage them to read every day to their children, talk with their children, play with their children, and help their children explore the world around them. We can make a difference ... one child, one book at a time.

•  Doug Perez, PhD., READ Board of Directors

September 16, 2016

Hi Shirley!

Reading Advantage really provided an amazing gift and tool when you provided a new book for each of our new Kindergartners at registration time. Our administrative staff that conducted the registration was blown away at the offer of such beautiful books. And, then, to find out that not only was it a tremendous gift to the child, it was a great tool in keeping the child busy while the parent filled out the registration material.

Thank you, again, for your generous support of these books for Kindergarten Registration as well as the preschool books you provided at our Reading Night. We are a lucky community to have Reading Advantage!!

It's been fun to continue to follow you on Facebook - I was smiling with the most recent post with you and Steve Bibby.

Sincerely,
Erica Olander
Parent Volunteer, John Muir Elementary, Antioch

March 15, 2016

REading ADvantage, Inc.
1145 Second Street, Suite A #113
Brentwood, CA 94513

Dear Deborah Polk and REading ADvantage:

Thank you so very much for including Turner in your book program this year. What a generous and welcomed surprise!

It was wonderful to have you here at Turner to share your joy and passion for reading and books. Our Dr. Seuss family night was a huge success; REading ADvantage played a role in this! Our families love the free books and information that you so generously gave out. In addition, you and your group were here for our PTA Holiday Craft Night which was another big success.

Our families were thrilled to get books. As you may be very aware, many of the families at Turner struggle to make ends meet on a regular basis. Although books are exceptionally important, parents are not always able to make them a priority. Thank you for taking your passion and making a difference for so many others.

We are very interested in any programs you may offer. We would warmly and enthusiastically embrace them all. Please let me know if there is anything you need from me.

Thank you for the time, effort, and resources it takes to make this valuable program possible. Your love and generosity in providing books to our students for their homes is heartfelt.

I am honored that you chose to help Turner. We hope that we can continue to grow and build this partnership.

Humbly,

Deborah Meylan
Principal – Turner Elementary School