Top 25 Things to Love about UTR
August 25, 2014
As we look back on 25 years of reading aloud with military families all over the world, we are delighted to hear stories from the military families who we have been able to help along the way, simply by handing them a children’s book and a video camera. At UTR, we just love what we do; here’s 25 reasons we think you will too.
- “UTR made the kids feel special to get a package just for them.” – LCDR Nell Ero, USCG
- More than 450 volunteers make the UTR program a reality each year.
- UTR was the nation’s first nonprofit to focus on connecting military families through the act of reading aloud.
- Through UTR, children learn the true joy of reading, which lasts a lifetime.
- “With UTR my boys can see ‘Daddy on demand.’” – Military spouse
- UTR takes a preventative approach to illiteracy by focusing on reading at an early age.
- UTR videos teach children listening skills, vocabulary and language skills.
- Over 80% of funds go directly to UTR program costs.
- 70% of participants report a decrease in their children’s anxiety about separation.
- “The program allows me to stay in touch and connect with my daughter in ways that the phone or email cannot.” – USMC Active Duty Participant
- UTR has nearly 200 recording locations around the world, and counting!
- 76% of participants report increases in their child’s interest in reading and books.
- UTR “makes the hard times less so.” – Active Duty Participant
- 84% of participants report that participation reduced their own stress during deployment.
- “It was nice to feel like I was participating in family activities during our deployment.” – Active Duty Participant, USCG
- UTR reassures children at home that Mom or Dad is safe and thinking of them.
- UTR is just what the doctor ordered, a 2014 Washington Post article shared that the American Academy of Pediatrics calls for parents to read to their infants.
- Most UTR staff members are former military themselves, military spouses, or grew up in military families — some are all three!
- Because of UTR, deployed parents know that their children will know them when they come home.
- More than 50,000 books were distributed to military children by UTR in 2013.
- 87 % of participants report an increase in connectedness with their deployed service member.
- Loyal partners such as USO, Target, BAE Systems and Google help UTR fulfill its mission every day.
- UTR’s 17 board members are located all over the country and spread the mission of UTR daily.
- Our Founder, Betty Mohelnbrock, believed that the power of reading aloud together could change the world for military families.
- UTR has served more than 2 million people in our 25 year history.