“Effective early literacy programs like ‘Raising a Reader' instill in children the desire and the ability to read, both of which are necessary for success in life,” said Wallis Annenberg, Vice President of the Annenberg Foundation.

The Raising A Reader Project is an early literacy program which provides childcare centers with book bags filled with award-winning children's books, read-aloud videos for parents and their children, teacher materials and an evaluation component that consists of pre- and post-tests for families involved in the program. Raising A Reader educates childcare providers and low-income, limited English-speaking families on the importance of reading to children regularly and encourages these caregivers to “lap read” to young children. The ultimate goal of the project is to expose children to fundamental literacy skills, to instill in children a love for reading and above all, to create healthy and supportive environments for our children. Currently, five centers have partnered with Orange County United Way to partake in the Raising A Reader Project, extending the treasures reading holds to more than 475 children. The Annenberg grant will allow Orange County United Way to expand the project into four more centers this coming fall serving an additional 311 children.

“Reading to young children not only stimulates their minds and fosters literacy skills, but more importantly, reading brings families together,” said Maria Chavez Wilcox, Orange County United Way President and CEO. “The funding from the Annenberg Foundation will help support such valuable programs that impact the lives of many of Orange County's young children.” 

To better prepare young children for the classroom, Orange County United Way's Success By 6 initiative promotes the healthy development of children from birth to age six by strategically partnering with childcare services and facilities, community and government groups, corporate sponsors and the media. Success By 6® is a nationwide model that has been adopted in more than 350 United Ways in 42 states. In Orange County, this initiative focuses on the critical need for quality childcare within our neighborhoods. To learn more about Orange County United Way's Success By 6 and the Raising A Reader Project, please contact Laura Long Cunningham at (949) 263-6150 or visit www.unitedwayoc.org.

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ABOUT THE ANNENBERG FOUNDATION
The Annenberg Foundation exists to advance the public well-being through improved communication.  As the principal means of achieving its goal, the Foundation encourages the development of more effective ways to share ideas and knowledge.  The Annenberg Foundation has offices in Radnor, PA and Los Angeles, CA.

For more information, visit www.annenbergfoundation.org

ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY
Orange County United Way is committed to identifying and addressing root causes that prevent individuals and families in Orange County from living self-sufficient lives. By way of the collaborative efforts of strategic partnerships, Orange County United Way creates long-lasting positive changes within our community. United Way focuses on the following priorities in Orange County: the attainment of self-sufficient wages, safe and secure housing and higher levels of education. By investing in these key areas, Orange County United Way and its partners are moving people to lead self-sufficient lives. Orange County United Way has a responsibility to its donors to demonstrate operational efficiency and show measurable impact within the communities we serve. Orange County United Way is a local, private, 501 (c) (3).

For more information, visit www.unitedwayoc.org.