November 2010 ● Volume 2, Issue 3 ● Raising A Reader, San Francisco & Alameda Counties ● (415) 808-4343 ● (510) 238-2443News From around the Bay San Francisco & Alameda CountiesNew to the Raising A Reader FamilyClassroom expansion for 2010-11: 1,051 new children & families! Alameda County: 92nd Avenue Head Start Berkeley Home Base Emery Marina Head Start Jefferson Head Start Hillside Head Start Lorenzo Manor Head Start Madison Head Start Oceanview Early Head Start Oceanview Head StartSacramento Early Head Start Sacramento Head Start San Leandro Adult School Head Start South YMCA Early Head Start South YMCA Head Start Vera Casey Early Head Start West Berkeley Early Head Start West Berkeley Head Start San Francisco: Burnett CDC Ebenezer FCCCompass Children's Center Epiphany Parent-Child Center Florence Crittenton Services–Hayes Valley Center Harbor House Helen Hawk Children's Center at Compass Clara House Heritage HomesJohn King Child and Family Center Kai Ming Head Start–Broadway Kai Ming Head Start–Powell Kai Ming Head Start–Sunset Orfalea Toddler Program Vistacion Valley Family School Wu Yee–Generations Wu Yee New Generations Whitney Young CDC–Masonic Whitney Young CDC–Bayview Raising A Reader is excited to welcome two new staffmembers to our team, Pat Toney and Sara Rizik-Baer. ― I love the look of anticipation on their little faces as I slowly open my red bag to reveal the illustrious BOOKS!‖ said Pat. Pat Toney, Program Associate in Alameda County, earned her Masters of Library and Information Science with an emphasis in children’s librari anship at San Jose State University. Prior to working with RAR, she was a member of the Association ofChildren’s Librarians of Northern California, Bibliotecas Para La Gente and the American Library Association. She completed undergraduate coursework in early childhood education, and earned a BA in Development Studies at University of California, Berkeley. Pat began working out of the UWBA Oakland office in August. ―I am excited to share my passion for reading and literatur e by helping children gain an enthusiasm for books at an early age. There is nothing more wonderful than watching a child’s face light up when they open the door to a whole new world of knowledge and questions simply by opening a book," said Sara. (cont’d p. 2)FAQ #1: “How does the RAR program reach nearly 9,000 children with a staff of 5?” The answer is simple. The most effective way to ensure that a child arrives in kindergarten ready to read and ready to learn, is to support the child’s family to share books at home regularly and interactively. Our program model is focused on empowering families to share books with their children by ensuring that they not only have access to outstanding, age-appropriate books, but the tools and support they need to make book-sharing part of daily lif e. RAR is integrated into existing infrastructures that support families every day. Our partnerships and relationships with families, educators, libraries, and early childhood agencies are a crucial program ingredient . We tailor our support according to individual site needs, whether it is a Family Childcare Provider or part of a school district. After 18 outside evaluations of our scalable model, RAR has proven to be systemic change, simply achieved. On behalf of the nearly 9,000 families that benefit from the RAR program every year, we thank you. The Raising A Reader team depends on volunteers to sort through thousands of books, package them according to the individual needs ofa classroom or center, and then help deliver them. It is a huge job that requires attention to detail, unflagging enthusiasm for making sure kids get the books they need, and, of course, some expert delivery teams. This effort would not have been possible without the many partners and supporters who opened their warehouses, spent hours counting and double-checking books and materials, boxed them up, and then drove many, many miles to deliver RAR books and red bags! Thanks to Caltrans, FEDEX, First 5, Cordis Corporation, RAR Board of Directors, UWBA Campaign Fellows and Emerging Leaders, and all our wonderful friends, supporters, and families! Raising A Reader Named a 2010 Top Non-Profit! Highlighting the work of Raising A Reader affiliates in the Bay Area, Philanthropedia has voted Raising A Reader a top US non-profit! Philanthropedia is a nonprofit organization working to help donors make smarter donationsby connecting them with some ofthe highest-impact nonprofits in a cause. Learn more at http://www.myphilanthropedia.org/