How Words Alive Creates Life-long Learners

We believe that if you value reading and understand its fundamental connection to all aspects of your life, you will thrive as a life-long learner, ready to transform your community.  Since 1999, we have focused on providing equitable learning opportunities in our community. Beyond just putting books in the hands of children and families, we empower them with the tools and resources they need to utilize reading as a tool that opens doors in their futures. Through our Read Aloud, Adolescent Book Group, Family Literacy, and Words Alive Westreich Scholarship programs we serve over 3,500 children, youth and families throughout San Diego County each month. 

Read Aloud Program

Reading aloud to young children is the most important thing we can do to help them become motivated, strong readers. Our Read Aloud volunteers do just that, sharing the joy of a good story while helping children develop the cognitive, language and social-emotional skills needed to be capable readers. Understanding the importance of book ownership in developing a love of reading, we also gift each child a new, quality book to keep twice a year! 

Adolescent Book Group

The Adolescent Book Group (ABG) is Words Alive’s flagship program. Designed to engage teens facing extraordinary circumstances in engaging conversation around books representing contemporary themes, ABG places caring adults in the classroom to help support teens as they explore how to make connections between what they are reading and the World Around them.

Words Alive Westreich Scholarship

Each year ABG participants who are graduating seniors can apply for the Words Alive Westreich Scholarship, which provides $40,000 to students annually, along with wrap-around support for the transition from high school to their next educational milestone.

Family Literacy

Words Alive makes reading exciting for the entire family by empowering parents to become their child’s first and most important teacher. We give parents the knowledge and resources they need to make reading a part of their daily routine by using the power of play.