Each year, Words Alive connect 5,000 children, teens, and families to the power and joy of reading. We inspire a love of reading for San Diego’s youth and families facing circumstances such as unstable housing, poverty, foster care, and impact by the justice system.Founded in 1999, our research-based programs ignite a love of reading by connecting children and families with trained volunteers and enrichment activities to bring texts alive. Participants build a regular reading practice, develop positive attitudes about reading, and foster the motivation to read. Our core programs include: Book group style sessions with teens from marginalized communities: Guided by volunteers, students connect their lived experience to relevant young adult text through discussion, writing, and art activities that foster healthy communication and self-expression. Students report increased confidence in learning and broadened perspectives through bi-weekly programming. The diverse, contemporary books utilized become the property of participants. Read aloud sessions in Title I elementary classrooms: Volunteers read engaging, diverse books aloud weekly during the school year. UTK – 3rd grade students grow vocabulary, critical thinking, and reading skills while enjoying stories with their caring “reading role model.” Participants receive new books to build personal and classroom libraries. Early literacy programming for low-income parents and young children: Families participating in weekly sessions read and play together, adding a new book to their personal library each week. Over six weeks, families develop an understanding of the value of reading together. Sessions are held virtually and in-person in Spanish and English.