On September 30th, 2013 we hosted a Reading Action Program webinar.

1. Reading Action Program
Achieving Literacy and Education through
community service

2. Asking Questions
Using the control panel:
1. Raise your hand using the
icon during the Q & A
segment
2. Type your question in the
“Questions” box during the
presentation

3. Webinar Recording
This webinar is being
recorded and will be
available online.
The recording, PowerPoint
presentation, and workbook
will be shared.

4. Today’s Agenda
 Reading Action Program Overview
 Activity Planning Resources
 Panel Session
 Reading is Fundamental
 USO
 Hadley School for the Blind
 Discussion Session/Q&A

5. Today’s Presenters
 Jennifer Katz, Director of Government
Relations and Community Outreach,
Reading is Fundamental
 Tracy Tucker, Director of Fundraising and
Development, USO
 Dawn Turco, Senior Vice President, The
Hadley School for the Blind

6. Global Literacy
There are nearly 800 million people around the
world today who cannot read these words.
 Many children are not exposed to books and
reading until they begin attending school
 Based on US statistics, only 10 percent of blind
children are learning Braille.
 Rural schools in many poorer countries are
severely limited in their supplies (textbooks,
paper, desks, blackboards, chairs – even
pencils.)

7. Our Global Network

8. The Reading Action Program provides an
important opportunity for Lions to help
bridge the gaps in literacy and education in
communities all around the world.
• Increase literacy among children and
adults
• Improve access to inclusive education
• Bridge the digital divide and provide
access to assistive technologies
• Place new emphasis on existing Lions
programs, including services for people
with vision loss
Reading Action Program

9. Service
Activities
To date, Lions
reported over
82,000
Reading Action
Program
activities.
Service Hours
Reporting clubs
dedicated over
2.4 million
hours to literacy
and education
related activities.
People
Served
Lions served over
8 million people
through Reading
Action Program
projects worldwide.
Your Global Impact

10. Poll Question
Has your club
participated in a
Reading Action Program
project?
Yes
No

11. Lions in Action!

12. The following are a few project ideas that members of your
club and district may consider taking on:
• Serve as a volunteer reader
• Learn and share the importance of Braille literacy
• Help provide books to your local school or library
• Organize a book drive for military children
You may also consider working with a school or a library to
organize joint projects or explore other possible partners in
your area.
Ways you can help!

14. Reading Action Program Resources

15. • Call to Action Flyer
• Project Idea Sheet
• Planning Guide
• Community Needs
Assessment
• Sample Press Release
• Bookmarks
• Diploma
• Partners
Reading Action Program Resources

16. Has your club used the
Reading Action
Program (RAP) Activity
Planning Resources to
plan projects?
Yes
No
Poll Question

17. Planning and Organizing
• Community Needs
Assessment
• Call to Action Flyer
• Planning Guide
• Project Idea Sheet
Reading Action Program Resources

18. Planning, Organizing and
Implementing
• Partner Fact Sheets
and PDFs
• Sample Press Release
• Book Marks
• Diploma
Reading Action Program Resources

19. Reading is Fundamental
Jennifer Katz
Director of Government Relations and Community
Outreach
Reading is Fundamental
JKatz@rif.org
www.rif.org

20. 2
RIF Overview
• Founded in 1966, RIF is the nation’s oldest and largest
children’s and families’ literacy non-profit
• Mission: RIF is dedicated to motivating young children to
read by working with children, their parents, and
community members to make reading a fun and
beneficial part of everyday life.
• Nearly two-thirds of low-income families in the U.S. own
no books

21. 3
Today, RIF is in All 50 States, DC, & Territories
FY12 Impact
Kids Served: 4 million
Book Distributed: 10 million

22. 4
To Date, RIF has
Given away 410 million books to more than 39 million
children

23. 4
Multicultural STEAM Books
• Books as mirrors and windows for children
• Emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering,
Arts and Math content in children’s books
• 40-title STEAM Multicultural Book Collection with
related educator, parent and community volunteer
activity sheets

24. 4
Summer Learning Loss
• Kids lose up to 2 months of learning during the
summer
• RIF’s U.S. Department of Education grant to stem
summer slide among children in poverty, providing
books and literacy resources
• 15 states, 33 school districts, 150 elementary
schools, 20,000 students

25. 8
Book People Unite
• Awareness campaign that brings together people who believe in the
transformative power of books and are committed to advancing
children’s literacy.
• Take the pledge and stay up to date on RIF’s campaigns! Visit
www.bookpeopleunite.org to check out our star-studded PSA and
spread the word!
8

26. 4
RIF & Lions in Action
• Sterling Lions Club, CO: started a new RIF
program to support the Iliff Head Start- 83 children
between ages 3 and 5

27. 4
RIF & Lions in Action
• Monett Lions Club, MO: Supports Monett
Elementary pre-school through 2nd grade students
– allowing for 2 annual book distributions

28. 4
Reading Action Program
 Volunteer with your local RIF program
 Support your local RIF program
 Honor an anniversary, volunteer, teacher or school
with a STEAM book collection donation
 Be a Book Person! Read with a child in your life

29. USO
Tracy Tucker
Director of Fundraising and Development
USO
TTucker@uso.org
www.uso.org

30. The USO lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families.

31. USO Quick Facts
• Over 160 locations
• Visited nearly 9 million times in 2012
• 35,000 troops and their family members supported
through USO Warrior and Family Care Programs in
2012
• 4,000 National Guardsmen received support from
USO centers and the USO Mobile after Hurricane
Sandy

32. There are nearly 2 million military children
who have one or two parents currently
serving in the military

33. How can we keep those families
connected?

34. Current Connecting Programs
Project Sanctuary
Stronger Families
Pro vs. GI Joe
United Through Reading Military Program
USO Operation Phone Home™
USO Photo Book
MEGS
Full Circle Home
Others

35. United Through Reading Military
Program – What is it?

36. #1 rated program when troops
and their families are surveyed

37. Survey research among participants
shows:
• More than 75% said “…reduced their
children’s anxiety”
• More than 85% “…helped the deployed
service member stay connected to their
family”
• More than 67% “…child’s interest in reading
and books increased”

38. United Through Reading Impact
“…Although our family hasn’t been able to build many memories together, this
moment will be a part of me forever.”
-- J. Geidner
“…It was so amazing and endearing. You could tell it was such a great
thing for me, my husband, and my son. The fact that you have set up a
way to video Dennis reading to our son Liam and you send it home with
the book is wonderful. It will be treasured always.”
-- K. Kelly
“…This program brings him into our living room. My girls light up when
I put the DvD on and even try to “talk” to Daddy. Even if for just a few
minutes, they have their daddy again.”
--T. Guidry

39. United Through Reading Impact in
Numbers
43,325 children were able to watch their
deployed parent read them a bedtime story

40. Why not more?

41. Resources!
$10 will allow one of our troops to read a story to
his or her child while serving around the world

42. How Your Lions Club Can Help
Host a Virtual Book Drive!
• This can be done online –
http://www.teamuso.org/Lions
• Ask each club member to make a contribution
• Ask club members to register online and email
their friends and family to support the program
• You can hand out stickers to those that supported
or post a graphic of how many readings you have
funded to keep members motivated

43. How Your Lions Club Can Help
Host a Book Drive!
• List of over 100 approved books that
can be used
• Books must be new
• Lions Club Sticker

44. How Your Lions Club Can Help
Adopt Your Local USO Center’s Children’s Reading Area
Many USO centers have designated areas for children. They offer a
quiet place with changing tables and portable cribs for parents to
tend to their little ones. For older children, play areas are a place
for kids to watch movies, read books and play with fun educational
toys.

45. For more information, please call
Tracy Tucker at 703-908-6466 or
email at ttucker@uso.org

46. The Hadley School for the Blind
Dawn Turco
Senior Vice President
The Hadley School for the Blind
Dawn@Hadley.edu
www.hadley.edu

47. THE HADLEY SCHOOL
FOR THE BLIND
Distance Education Since 1920

48. 1. Hadley’s distance education allows you to study
anytime, anywhere – on the go, on demand!
2. Tuition-free courses for students who are blind
and their families. Modest tuition for some
professional courses.
3. Individualized attention by supportive instructors.
4. Courses available in braille, large print, audio and
online.
5. Additional services include Seminars@Hadley and
YouTube videos.
FAST FACTS A C C R E D I T E D M E M B E R

49. HADLEY’S PROGRAMS
OVER 10,000 STUDENTS ANNUALLY
1. Adult Continuing
Education Program
2. High School Program
3. Family Education
Program
4. The Hadley School for
Professional Studies

50. HADLEY BEGAN WITH ONE STUDENT
LEARNING BRAILLE THROUGH THE MAIL.
 Committed to braille literacy since
1920.
 Today, Hadley teaches braille
literacy to sighted and blind
students, including music braille
and Nemeth code (math).
 Thousands study with us each
year.

51. Why do families enroll?
 Learn to read and write braille.
 Foster the development of a child with a visual
impairment.
 Support your family member’s
adjustment to vision loss.
FAMILY EDUCATION PROGRAM

52. 850 FAMILY EDUCATION STUDENTS IN
FY2013

53. FOCUS ON EMERGENT LITERACY:
BRAILLE AND YOUR BABY AND TODDLER

54. A HANDY MEMORY TRICK

55. USER-FRIENDLY
EHADLEY COURSES

56. ….through Spring into Braille, an annual
reading challenge. 142 students
participated this year. Students read
over 143,000 pages.
READING BRAILLE ENCOURAGED….

57. INTRODUCING
EHADLEY
Our students, and the
larger population
worldwide, are
discovering the benefits
of elearning.

58. 70+ courses online, more
coming.
11,000+ students have
completed one or more
online courses.
Study
anytime,
anywhere!
EHADLEY
INITIATIVE

59. Mobile learning extends the reach of
teaching and learning by utilizing any
number of digital portable devices.
Study in a flexible place, at a flexible
time.
 ON THE GO, ON DEMAND!
EHADLEY EXPANDS INTO THE MLEARNING
INITIATIVE

60. NEW BLINDED VETERANS INITIATIVE
The goal is to educate and inspire blind
or visually impaired veterans to pursue
their personal and professional goals and
help support their families.
NEW COURSE:
Reinforcing Independence: The Role of
the Family

61. SEMINARS@HADLEY
• Live webinars on a variety of
relevant topics from the newest
technologies, employment skills,
and cooking tips to recreational
activities and the use of braille
in daily life.
• 180+ recordings archived on our
Past Seminars page allowing
24/7 access.

62.  Hadley has established
partnerships/collaborations with
national and international
organizations.
 Building partnerships helps us
become more innovative and
continuously improve our services.
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS

63. Educate your community about Hadley,
especially accessible curriculum that
supplements the education of blind students
locally, home schooled or in public/private
schools.
There is a growing number of people with age
related low vision and the Lions and Hadley are
positioned to respond. Lions members and low
vision individuals can learn adaptive skills,
enabling them to remain in the home and
community.
CALL TO ACTION

64. Recognize that Hadley is more than just
braille – courses range from the use of the
latest technology, to recreation and
business skills.
Promote and recognize area businesses'
use of braille signage and menus.
Consider providing assistance to help needy
students purchase braille labelers, braille
writers, slate and stylus, and more.
CALL TO ACTION

65. CHECK US OUT ON YOUTUBE
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

66. VISIT WWW.HADLEY.EDU

67. HADLEY SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND
For more information on our services, call us at 1-800-323-4238 or
visit our Web site at www.hadley.edu
You can also email us at:
General Inquiries – info@hadley.edu
Student Services – student_services@hadley.edu
Feedback – feedback@hadley.edu
Or me, dawn@hadley.edu

68. Asking Questions
Using the control panel:
1. Raise your hand using the
icon during the Q & A
segment
2. Type your question in the
“Questions” box during the
presentation

69. Questions
• Jennifer Katz, Director of Government
Relations and Community
Outreach, Reading is Fundamental
• Tracy Tucker, Director of Fundraising
and Development, USO
• Dawn Turco, Senior Vice
President, The Hadley School for the
Blind

70. Thank you!
Please contact us at programs@lionsclubs.org and
visit our website for more resources.