Los Angeles
California
LA Reads Literacy Program Champions Youth With Storytimes Featuring Dodgers Players
Sports and Recreation
July 28, 2023
From: Dodger StadiumLA READS LITERACY PROGRAM CHAMPIONS YOUTH WITH STORYTIMES FEATURING DODGERS PLAYERS CLAYTON KERSHAW AND WILL SMITH, BOOK GIVEAWAYS AND FREE LEARNING RESOURCES
Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and Los Angeles Dodgers partner to engage community and literacy-focused organizations to improve reading proficiency and interest amongst young Angelenos
LOS ANGELES (July 26, 2023) – The Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) are in their seventh season of, LA Reads, a joint literacy program designed to motivate youth to build a lifelong love of reading with engaging programs and educational resources throughout the year. Next week, the organizations will host two of 16 Storytime readings on August 1st with Dodger catcher Will Smith at Felipe de Neve Branch Library at 11 a.m. and August 2nd with Dodger pitcher Clayton Kershaw at Edendale Branch Library at 10:30 a.m. Both reading events will be attended by youth participating in nearby summer recreation programs. Media alerts to follow.
As LADF celebrates ‘10 Years Reimagined’, they will continue to partner with Think Together, the Los Angeles Public Library, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to host Storytime’s and giveaways at various schools, public libraries and parks. Youth attending each Storytime will receive a copy of “Bigger Than Me,” by Ann Higginbottom or “A Kids Book About Equality,” by Billie Jean King. Additionally, LADF holds its signature community resource events, Dodger Days, and provides Dodger Dreamteam youth with free books and various essential resources.
The LA Reads program consists of Storytimes and book giveaways with Dodger players, coaches, broadcasters, and alumni, the Dodgers Reading Champions challenge, which incentivizes youth participants ages 5 through 14 to read 30 minutes or more per day, partnerships with libraries and literacy nonprofits, and Literacy Corners which are renovated and refurbished after-school centers and libraries with new furniture, paint, flooring, and stocked age-appropriate bookshelves. The program recently surpassed five million minutes “read” since its launch, has distributed nearly 20,000 books, and LADF has granted over $1.4 million to literacy focused organizations over the last 10 years.
“More than 51% of Los Angeles County students did not meet the English and Literacy standard in 2020-2021,” said Nichol Whiteman, CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.” To combat these troubling statistics, LADF is committed to providing engaging educational opportunities that support literacy and make reading fun for everyone.”
“Reading is a foundational step toward creating greater equality and equity in our society which is why the Dodgers continue to invest in improving the literacy challenge facing far too many within our local community. Expanding children’s access to literature through the provision of literary resources and renovations of literacy corners and safe spaces to read, shows that the Dodgers remain committed to creating a more equitable society every day,” said Kristin McCowan, Los Angeles Dodgers Senior Director of Government and Community Affairs.
For more information or to register a child for Dodgers Reading Champions, visit dodgers.com/lareads.
About the Los Angeles Dodgers:
The Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, with six World Series championships and 23?National League pennants since its beginnings in Brooklyn in 1890, is committed to a tradition of pride and excellence.? The Dodgers are dedicated to supporting a culture of winning baseball, providing a first-class, fan-friendly experience at Dodger Stadium, and building a strong partnership with the community. With the highest cumulative fan attendance in Major League Baseball history, and a record of breaking barriers, the Dodgers are one of the most cherished sports franchises in the world.??
Visit the Dodgers online at?www.dodgers.com, follow them on Twitter?@Dodgers?and like them on Facebook at?www.facebook.com/Dodgers.??
For media information, visit?www.dodgerspressbox.com.
About the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation:
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) is tackling the most pressing problems facing Los Angeles with a mission to improve education, health care, homelessness and social justice for all Angelenos. Bigger than baseball, LADF envisions a city where everyone regardless of ZIP code has the opportunity to thrive. LADF was reimagined in 2013 and has since raised over $90 million and is on track to raise $100 million in 2023. Since then, LADF has invested more than $53 million in its programs and grants to local organizations and impacted more than 9.8 million youth. LADF is the proud recipient of ESPN's Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, Robert Wood Johnson Sports Award, Beyond Sport's Sport for Reduced Racial Inequalities Collective Impact Award, and the Aspen Institute Project Play Champion. To learn more, visit Dodgers.com/LADF, follow them on Twitter, @DodgersFdn,?Instagram, @dodgersfoundation, and like them on Facebook at facebook.com/LosAngelesDodgersFoundation.