ABOUT US

What is Read Aloud America?

Founded in Hawaii in 1995 by Jed Gaines, Read Aloud America is a nonprofit 501(C)3 organization that promotes literacy, encourages a love of reading in adults and children, and increases children's prospects for success in school and life.

RAP is an innovative family program that brings parents and children together for six sessions during one school semester and motivates them to read. The program is conducted at host schools which provide meeting space, volunteers, and logistical support. The host schools pay a small fee with smaller grants and contributions from local businesses and individual supporters.

What are Read Aloud presentations?

Jed Gaines and his team conduct Read Aloud America presentations at public and private schools and various community functions. The presentations, open to all, are designed to motivate individuals to read and read aloud to children - in the classroom and at home -  on a regular basis. The school presentation package offers interactive classroom time with teachers and their students.


Back row l-r: Jay Brown, Jed Gaines, Tim Schin, Kelly Kent, Monique Weisman
First row: Joanne Laird, Tracy Saiki, Jennifer Ryan, Carol Kettner

Click here to read the front page article in the Honolulu Star Bulletin 11/28/04

 

Click here to see an article about Read Aloud America in the Honolulu Advertiser, October 5, 2004, Island Life section.

Click here for Read Aloud America Fall 2008 Newsletter (pdf)

 

Click here for the January 2007 RAP Notes Newsletter (pdf)


 

What is RAP: The Read Aloud Program?

This unique family literacy program draws parents and children together for six sessions every other week in the early evening to share good books. Its goals are to reach families and stimulate their interest in reading, decrease television viewing, increase family time spent in reading activities, and connect the values of good books to everyday life. Families who participate in RAP build Family Reading Handbooks and receive free books, reading lists, and dinners. 


How does RAP support families?

The 1985 Commission on Reading's report, Becoming a Nation of Readers, concluded, "The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children." RAP provides reading experiences for adults and children and suggests how to read aloud and select appropriate books. Adults and older student volunteers serve as readers and positive role models. Through purposeful, nurturing interactions, RAP builds reading confidence in children and adults.
 


Why do these programs work?

1. Children and adults experience the joy of reading for pleasure, often for the first time, and read more on their own. Reading with RAP volunteers builds self-confidence and motivates program participants to spend more time with books.

2. Parents learn the importance of reading with their children to help them become better readers.

3. Children learn that books are exciting and stories relate to everyday life.

4. Volunteers enjoy meaningful, rewarding experiences and have the satisfaction of knowing they are making a positive impact on children's lives.

5. Teachers have new resources to help their students become more interested in reading and receptive to learning.

6. Companies who support Read Aloud America strengthen their customer base and enrich their local communities.

How can I help?

Read Aloud America relies on contributions of time and money from individuals, companies, and foundations. To find out how you can get involved, or how your organization can help, please call (808) 531-1985, fax (808) 593-1984 or email: read@readaloudamerica.org.

We’ve lost our funding, and we need your help to continue carrying the Read Aloud America message to Hawaii’s families.

 We are grateful for donations of any size.
Thank you for your support.

 


 

RAA Board of Directors:

Jed Gaines, Founder and President
James R. Harstad

Charman Akina, M.D.
Natalie Mun-Takata

Lyla Berg

Chris Kanazawa
Jim Trelease

RAA Support:

Larry L. Myers, Legal Counsel
Allen Arakaki, CPA
Natalie Hayek, Program Consultant 
Marsha Eaton, Webmaster

 

RAA Staff:

Marketing &
Training Director: Jed Gaines

Program Director: Joanne Laird

Program Specialist: Israel Chavez 

Moloka'i Site Coordinator: Diane Mokuau

Maui Program Coordinator: Larry Laird

Hilo Program Coordinator - Beverly Heikes

CLICK HERE FOR STAFF BIOS

E-mail us: read@readaloudamerica.org

Copyright 2012 - Read Aloud America - all rights reserved