Reading Books – Changing Lives Dear Partners, Friends, and Supporters,

At Words Alive, we believe deep down that an intrinsic connection and commitment to reading holds the key to many opportunities for life success. However, many communities right here in San Diego face numerous obstacles to developing that commitment to reading due to a lack of resources, education or support.

Words Alive creates and delivers specialized programs designed specifically to address these issues—the lack of access to books and education about reading, a lack of interest as young people develop and families grow, and the lack of achievement – be it academic, economic or social, that results when a connection to reading is not present. Through these programs, Words Alive has a profound impact on thousands of San Diegans across the County each month.

Detailed in this report are results of that impact. Along with an overview of the programs, we are excited to share collected data supporting the fact that Words Alive programs make a significant difference in the lives of families and young people each day.

Upon reading this Program Outcomes Report I invite you to get involved with Words Alive:

• As a champion for our programs, become a vocal advocate for the work we do;

• Invite others to get involved and join our more than 250 volunteers;

• And, if possible, invest in Words Alive as we continue to grow, bringing these essential literacy programs to communities in need.

To all of you who are currently involved as a volunteer, supporter or both, I hope that the information contained in this report serves as proof that your engagement is changing lives! If you are not currently engaged, we hope this information will inspire your support.

On behalf of everyone who works tirelessly designing, developing and delivering Words Alive programs, thank you.

All my best,

Patrick Stewart ExecutiveDirector

Program Outcomes Report 2012-2013

“This reading program has impacted my relationship with my kids so much. I look forward to reading after

dinner and before bed. Sometimes my kiddos will read to each other...I look forward to reading to my kiddos

until they get big!”—parentparticipantinIncredibleFamiliesReadtoMeWorkshop

After participating in ELI, book sharing and literacy-building activities are becoming more important for kids and their families:

In Parents - 40% more parents report reading aloud with their child at least several times a week

In Preschoolers - Parents reported significant increases in their child’s book exploring behaviors (turning pages, asking questions, pretending to read, etc.)

• 15hours of read aloud experiences for 772 ELI participants

• Nearly 14,000books donated to kids and families throughout San Diego County

• 68%offamilies report increased access to books for their children

“I have learned that it is more important

to let my child get involved in the book...to show my child that

reading can be a fun experience and not

just a boring thing you have to do to learn.”

—parentparticipant,FamilyLiteracyProgram

Community Collaboration

Family Literacy Spotlight

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30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

0%Control Books

OnlyBooks and Parent

Workshops

Average post-intervention gain on Get Ready To Read

screening tool

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Words Alive piloted a Family Literacy Program at three sites in 2013. The six week workshop was designed to teach parents and caregivers about the brain development of their children and provide the tools and resources for them to support their literacy growth at home.

With help from experts at the University of San Diego, Words Alive tracked progress of children in three groups using an early literacy screening tool: a control group, children who received books to keep, and children who received books to keep and parents who participated in workshops. First year findings show a strong correlation between children whose parents attended Family Literacy Workshops and higher gains on the Get Ready to Read pre-literacy assessment tool.

Our Early Literacy Intervention (ELI) program serves 772 preschool aged children and their

families in 12 Head Start and Child Development Centers across San Diego County. Participants

come from low-income households and often lack the read-aloud experiences critical to their

early literacy development. Our volunteers lead read-aloud sessions that develop students’

cognitive and verbal skills, and foster a love of reading, while maximizing kindergarten readiness.

Early Literacy Services & Community Programs

Interest

Words Alive partners with the Neighborhoods 4 Kids–Incredible Families Program to reach families separated by Child Welfare Services. Words Alive supports the reunification process and relationship repair for these parents and their children through parent workshops and book sharing among families. Words Alive conducted 26 Read to Me workshops with this program and additional community partners in 2012-13.

Access

In 2012, we piloted a new writing component in three of our ABG classrooms— led by handpicked volunteers including an award-winning author and a young adult book editor. The program is designed to encourage students to explore written responses to books they read and grow accustomed to expository writing required in the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). The program has shown success in helping Words Alive 10th grade students pass the CAHSEE exam. 10th graders participating in the writing program passed at a rate of 77%, as compared to just 58% of their peers who did not participate. This program will be expanded to all ABG sites during the 2013/14 school year.

Scholarship Spotlight

“Book club helps me realize everyday obstacles that people

like me have to overcome. It shows that I am lucky to be

alive, and I can overcome anything I put my mind to.”

-Jason,age16

Pilot Writing Program Shows Success

Percentage of10th grade

students passing the CAHSEE

In 2011 we teamed up with the Director of Assessment, Research and Pupil Services for the San Diego County Office of Education to track the academic outcomes of students who participate in ABG. Since then, we’ve found that students who participate in ABG show gains in reading and language skills that far surpass their peers in the JCCS system.

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%Words Alive

Writing Program

Participants

JCCSOverall

7.4 8.05

22

Reading Gains Language Gains

10

8

6

4

2

0

Actual gain for ABG Participants

Expected gain for JCCS students

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)Average Gains, 2011-13

Susannah and Cathy at a WAWS social event

Students who have participated in the ABG program can apply for Words Alive Westreich Scholarships (WAWS) to support the transition from high school to their next educational step.

• In 2012, Words Alive awarded two $5,000 scholarships, five $3,000 scholarships, and five $1,000 scholarships.

• WAWS students attended Arizona State University, University of California-Santa Cruz, San Diego State University, San Diego City College, Mesa College, Miramar College, Palomar College, and Southwestern College.

• Two returning WAWS recipients used their scholarship funds to participate in a month-long study abroad program in India.

• Trisha McElroy, a two-year WAWS recipient, graduated from San Diego State University in May 2013–our first 4-year university graduate!

What makes our program different is the one-to-one mentorship component that provides a meaningful, consistent relationship with a specially matched adult who will advocate on their behalf—a role most of these students lack in their lives.

WAWS recipient, Cathy Campos (a graduate of Monarch–a JCCS school for homeless kids) and her mentor, Susannah Walker (a San Diego Police Officer)

are a perfect example. Whether Susannah is helping Cathy open a savings account, helping with transportation to job training, or teaching her to ride a bike, Susannah is a significant figure in her life as she builds a better future. Cathy hopes to return to Monarch after graduation—this time as a teacher!

Teen Services Words Alive bridges the gap in interest, access, and achievement in reading for over 270 underserved and at-risk teens with our Adolescent Book Group (ABG) program, operating in nine San Diego County Office of Education Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS). Our curriculum, designed by a volunteer team of educators, is specially selected for each site to connect with the

students we serve–in most cases they are referred to these classrooms based on extreme life situations: homelessness, teen parenting, gang involvement, and foster care. ABG helps re-engage them in reading, while providing opportunities to develop critical thinking, verbal, vocabulary, and language skills through participation in regular discussion with caring, invested adult volunteers.

Achievement

Community Collaborations

StaffBoard of Directors

Investment

Words Alive continues its close relationship with the University of San Diego Institute for Nonprofit Education and Research and the Assessment Team at the San Diego County Office of Education to develop the evaluation tools that help us determine the effectiveness of our programs and utilize this data to improve them.

Additionally, Words Alive has emerged as a leader in several important community collaborations addressing literacy, dropout prevention and more. Partnerships include:

• San Diego Council on Literacy

• City Heights Partnership for Children

• Diamond Educational Excellence Partnership

• Chula Vista Reads

Ellen Mitgang, Chair  Community VolunteerKamie Cicinelli, Past Chair Founder, CiCon GroupBrian Miller, Secretary Owner, Geppetto’sRick Seidenwurm, Treasurer Attorney, Community VolunteerLinda Cipriani  Attorney, Community VolunteerLaurie Doyle Volunteer Coordinator, Helen  Woodward Animal Center

Kay Gurtin Vice President, Gurtin Fixed IncomeJodi Kennedy Community VolunteerCynthia Shenkman Artist, Community VolunteerDana Vandersip Vice President of Development,  Make-A-Wish Foundation of San DiegoLeslye Winkelman Lyons,  Board Emeritus, Words Alive Founder

Patrick Stewart, Executive DirectorCarter Anderson, Associate Program Manager Amanda Bonds, MA, Early & Community Literacy  Programs ManagerChrissy Califf, Teen Literacy Services & Volunteer Programs ManagerNicole Daniel, Development Associate

Words Alive is 98% philanthropically funded, and we’re proud of the strong financial foundation we’ve built, particularly in the uncertain fiscal climate of recent years. With an annual budget of just over $400,000, a staff of five, and a volunteer corps 250 members strong, we reach over 1,400 families each month.

Partners

William R. Gumpert Foundation

San Marcos Community Foundation

G.O.L.D. Diggers

Dr. Seuss Foundation

Words Alive is generously supported by the following institutional donors and over 400 committed individuals (see www.wordsalive.org for a complete listing):

Expenses

ProgramsGeneral/AdministrationFundraising

33%

51%

16%

Income

Individual DonorsCorporationsFoundationsFee for Service Income

46%

38%

14%

2%

5111 Santa Fe Street Suite 219San Diego, CA 92109858-274-9673 www.wordsalive.org

“My whole class is a success story! Back in September my students did not want to read, participation was poor; now, they asked to continue to read during summer!” -Valentina Franco, JCCS teacher