RTMI Wins National Book Foundation Award
Read To Me International is a proud recipient of a 2009 Innovations in Reading Prize from the National Book Foundation.
From the National Book Foundation's website:
"Each year, the National Book Foundation awards a number of prizes of up to $2,500 each to individuals and institutions--or partnerships between the two--that have developed innovative means of creating and sustaining a lifelong love of reading.
The Foundation's first year of offering the Innovations in Reading Prize saw 150 applications from 30 states."
Read To Me International is one of five winners selected for the award.
"Applications fell into the following categories:
Education & Community Outreach
Tools & Technology
Schools & School Libraries
Public & University Libraries
Literary Magazines & Publishers
Book Clubs, Reading Series & Performance
Individuals
A selection process was created based on the following criteria: level of innovation, impact and need, with innovation always carrying the most weight. Impact and need came into play only in cases where two programs were judged to be equally innovative. "Innovation" was not limited to meaning only technologically innovative. In some cases, innovation meant identifying a need in the community and developing a program to address that need in a simple and effective way. In all cases, selections were made to reward programs that create and sustain a life long love of reading."
Read To Me International is honored and humbled to receive this recognition for Fathers Bridging the Miles from the National Book Foundation.
Says Pat Mizuno, Program Director of Fathers Bridging the Miles:
"It is amazing to see the relationships between fathers and their children bloom over books and reading. The children enjoy getting the books in the mail and love listening to their fathers' voices. We know our program is having an impact when we meet former program participants after being paroled and they are still reading to their children!"
For a full list of 2009 Innovations in Reading Prize winners, visit the National Book Foundation Website.