United Through Reading Named Recipient of 2015 Library of Congress Literacy Award

October 27, 2015

San Diego based nonprofit, United Through Reading, has been selected to receive the 2015 American Prize of the Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program, awarding the nonprofit $50,000. United Through Reading has been selected for its significant and measurable contribution to increasing literacy levels and the national awareness of the importance of literacy.

United Through Reading’s mission is to connect service members who are separated from their families due to deployment, training, or active-duty assignment, to their families at home through the act of reading aloud. Service members are video recorded at nearly 200 locations worldwide reading children’s books to the special kids in their life. Those videos are sent home, along with a new book, so that military children have access to their service member whenever they need them, despite the distance.

“We are truly honored to have received the American Prize from the Library of Congress Literacy Awards,” said United Through Reading Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sally Ann Zoll. “United Through Reading — our board, staff, volunteers and donors — work very hard to ensure that every military child can benefit from the read-aloud experience, as we know the impact it can have on early literacy development and growth. We’re proud that this award corroborates our work supporting our military community and alleviating the literacy challenges our society faces.”

United Through Reading creates a unique read-aloud opportunity for military families who may otherwise struggle to continue their tradition of shared story time during the physical separations caused by deployments and other military assignments. Program participants have experienced significant benefits through this program, with over 75 percent of surveyed participants reporting that the program increases their child’s interest in reading and books.

Other 2015 Library of Congress Literacy Award recipients include First Book and Beanstalk. Through the generosity of David M. Rubenstein, the Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program honors organizations that have made outstanding contributions to increasing literacy in the United States or abroad. The awards also encourage the continuing development of innovative methods for combating illiteracy and the wide dissemination of the most effective practices. They are intended to draw public attention to the continuing need for literacy services and to increase awareness of the importance of literacy. By recognizing current achievements, the awards seek to inspire organizations, foundations, and other private sector groups to become involved in combating illiteracy.

Learn more about the Library of  Congress Literacy Awards by visiting www.read.gov/literacyawards.