Interview with Madison Reading Project's founder and Co-Executive Director, Rowan Childs:
What is the Madison Reading Project's mission?
"We’re a local nonprofit celebrating 10 years of providing children with literacy resources and free books. Our goal is to enhance literacy rates by offering an array of literacy resources and books so all children can see themselves reflected in the books they read."
What’s a success story from your work?
"One early success was at the Salvation Army, where our first program started, kids selected their own book for the holidays. There’s a lot of pride in choosing and writing your name on the nameplate. The kids were thrilled. When their parents came to pick them up, you could tell how excited they were about having their own books. That was one of the first moments I knew what we were doing was right.”
What challenges do you face today?
"The demand for our services is growing, sometimes faster than we can keep up with. Our book center right now also can only hold so many books and so many staff and volunteers, so we try to be as innovative with what we can do. On average, we give out a hundred and twenty thousand books per year, which is a lot, but there’s still more need out there."
Can you tell us about your educators' program?
"Our educators' program allows MCPASD teachers to select 25 free books per school year for their classrooms. This helps teachers bring fresh, engaging materials to students, as they play a critical role in fostering a love of reading in children."
How can local residents and businesses support your mission?
"There are many ways to help, including donations, volunteering, or sponsoring a program or event. Businesses can get involved by offering sponsorships or creative contributions - we’re always open to new ideas and appreciate any support."
"Our goal is to enhance literacy rates by offering an array of literacy resources and books"