Turning the Page. Monterey County Kids Lag in Literacy Scores.
Nonprofits are stepping up to close the gap
Monterey County Week – by Celia Jimenez
Read to Me Project names Julia Foster as new Executive Director
Salinas, California, May 10, 2022, The Read to Me Project, a nonprofit organization that helps under-served children achieve kindergarten readiness announces Julia Foster as its new executive director. Out of a field of highly qualified applicants, Julia Foster became the top candidate with significant breadth and depth of nonprofit and leadership experience. Foster will take the helm on Monday, June 6th.
Julia Foster brings over a decade of experience working in nonprofit organizations around Monterey County. She deeply believes in the power of literacy and the lifelong opportunities that it brings. Most recently, Julia was the Executive Director for the Foundation for Monterey County Free Libraries. As a self-proclaimed “people person”, Julia is passionate about connecting with those around her and building relationships. She holds a BA in Translation and Interpretation from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a MA in International Public Policies from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. In her free time, Julia enjoys reading with her kids, hiking, and wine tasting.
About Read to Me Project – Read to Me Project is a prevention-based program that addresses the alarming issue of low-literacy in Monterey County. Seven out ten children start kindergarten as much as two years behind in cognitive, vocabulary and language skills – most never catch up. RtMP’s impacts emerging student readers, little ones (ages 0 to 5 years) and their parents in rich and nurturing ways by building student reading confidence, sibling bonds, kindergarten readiness, and disrupting the generational cycle of low literacy among Monterey County’s underserved families. The Read to Me Project has the capacity to change lives by bringing books and literacy into homes and by helping children achieve their full potential through a lifetime of literacy and equitable opportunity.
For more information contact Mary De Groat, mary@readtomeproject.org.
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February, 2020 – iHeart radio interview with Mary De Groat & Annette Oswald, Ed.D
iHeart Radio – Interview by Mark Carbonaro
On the importance of early literacy experiences during a child’s first 5 years of life. Learn about Read to Me Project and how it is addressing the alarming fact that 7 out 10 children are starting school as much as two years behind. 30 minute interview.
November, 2016 – Nonprofit builds literacy skills one book at a time
Carmel Magazine – by Renee Brincks
Speech and language therapist Barbara Greenway founded the Read to Me Project, which provides books to classrooms and 4th-6th graders to read to their siblings.
September 26, 2016 – Taylor Farms funds reading program
The Packer – by Mike Hornick
Taylor Farms is funding implementation of the Read to Me Project in seven fourth-grade classrooms at La Gloria Elementary School, Gonzales, Calif.
September, 2016 – Taylor Farms Supports Early-Learning And Literacy Program In Gonzales Classrooms
Perishable News – by Read to Me Project
Taylor Farms is funding implementation of the Read to Me Project in Gonzales, California.