Reach Out and Read

Reach Out and Read (ROR) is a program that promotes early literacy by bringing new books and advice about the importance of reading aloud into the pediatric exam room.

Doctors and nurses give new books to children at each well child visit from 6 months of age to 5 years, and accompany these books with developmentally appropriate advice to parents about reading aloud with their child. The ROR program model is based on research that shows a connection between the frequency of sharing books with babies, toddlers and young children and enhanced language development.

Since 1989, ROR pediatricians have been prescribing books and reading aloud for their young patients, with a special focus on children growing up in poverty. ROR trained doctors and nurses are currently promoting pediatric literacy at more than 2,000 hospitals, health centers and private pediatric practices.

Reach Out and Read are currently seeking volunteers at many of Unity Health Care Inc.’s sites. Volunteers participate in the following activities:

• Reading to pediatric children
• Distributing used books to children
• Model reading skills to parents and children

Reach Out and Read is currently at the following sites:

• Anacostia Health Center
• Brentwood Health Center
• Congress Heights Health Center
• East of the River Health Center
• Good Hope Road Health Center
• Hunt Place Health Center
• Southwest Health Center
• Stanton Road Health Center
• Upper Cardozo Health Center
• Walker-Jones Health Center
• Woodridge Health Center

If you are interested in becoming a Reach Out and Read Volunteer please contact: