Reach Out and Read - Somerville, MA

Mission Statement

Reach Out and Read is a national pediatric literacy program that seeks to make children develop a love of reading as early as possible. Pediatrians give new, age-appropriate and culturally-enriching books to children between the ages of 6months and 5 years during their well-child visits. They also counsel parents on reading aloud to their children. While waiting for the doctor, volunteers read to children in the waiting rooms, sharing books with children in a way to support their verbal and intellectual development. Since Reach Out and Read primarily supports low-income children, the reading done by volunteers serves as a model for their parents.