Through Words Alive’s response to COVID-19, “Book Connect Us,” we are sharing best practices from our 20+ year history to help children, teens, and families use the love of reading to navigate this turbulent time. Here are a few highlights from the past few days.
Reaching Coast to Coast
With the launch of Books Connect Us, Words Alive has seen an outpouring of individuals wanting to help!
We are excited to welcome our newest volunteers from California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and Virginia! More than 50 new "virtual volunteers" have reached out to ask how they can help create content, read and review titles, coordinate virtual book drives, promote Books Connect Us, and more.
We rely on our community's expertise, passion, and commitment to help deliver exceptional programs and resources to families - and for your support we are truly grateful.
We’re hosting weekly virtual volunteer orientations. Click here to learn more.
Help Support our Westreich Scholars
Last week, Words Alive hosted a virtual check-in with our young adult Scholars and Mentors to see how they are coping and what we can do to help.
Given the implications of the pandemic on schools, jobs, housing, and health, the Scholars in our Westreich Scholarship and Mentorship Program are leaning into their resilience to adapt to a "new normal." Many are struggling to access food, shelter, internet, and child care – making a shift to distance learning in their post-secondary program extremely challenging.
We are honored that our volunteer mentors are side-by-side with this year's cohort to help them creatively problem solve and prioritize their pursuit of education during this turbulent time.
You can support our 14 Scholars by investing in our mentorship program, signing up to become a mentor, and/or donations of grocery, meal delivery, or gas gift cards. Click here to find out how.
Story Station en Español & Upcoming (Virtual) Events!
¡Hola! ¿Quieres escuchar una historia? Join us on the Words Alive Facebook page for a special edition of Story Station every Friday at 2 p.m. PT as we feature a different a story in Spanish!
Are you interested in reading stories or creating resources in Spanish or another language? Click here to get started!
Join us for Story Station every weekday afternoon (2 pm PT on Facebook Live):
4/13: Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae
4/14: Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham
4/15: We Do Not Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
4/16: I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont
4/17: Gracia, Sr. Panda by Steve Antony
(Recordings are available on our Facebook page after the reading.)
Trending on #QuaranTEENS
Top stories and activities trending this week on #QuaranTEENS:
1. Write a Letter To Your Future Self
2. All the Feels - Writing Tip from author Elly Swartz
3. TikTok Challenge: Why are books the best stay-at-home activity?