Testimonials
Testimonials
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Mission and History
MISSION
Reading Ready Pittsburgh is a non-profit organization supporting the healthy development of young children by increasing access to books and by encouraging significant family engagement through reading.
Reading Ready Pittsburgh offers a variety of literacy programs to the Pittsburgh area's young readers. Reading Ready Pittsburgh partners with local childcare centers, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, and other community organizations to meet families where they are and remove barriers families may face in having high-quality, age-appropriate books to share in the home.
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HISTORY
2017
Raising A Reader is brought to MUSA's Little Lambs Preschool program
2018
Reading Ready Pittsburgh becomes an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Reading Ready Pittsburgh creates a partnership with the Head Start program at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Six new Raising A Reader Programs are opened
2019
Four Little Give-Away Libraries are built and placed in Homestead and Swissvale
Reading Ready Pittsburgh opens three additional Raising A Reader programs
Reading Ready Pittsburgh hires their first full time employee
2020
Raising A Reader is offered through Home Based Childcare providers
First Early Head Start Home Visiting program begins
Ready4K is offered to Raising A Reader families
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is launched for families with a 15120, 15104, 15145, or 15112 zip code
An Eagle Scout Volunteer builds and erects 3 new little libraries in the Mon Valley
2021
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is launched for families with a 1511o zip code in partnerships with The First Presbyterian Church of Duquesne
Reading Ready Pittsburgh partners with Heritage Community Initiatives in Braddock to offer the Raising A Reader Program
Raising A Reader is expanded to kindergarten and first grade classrooms at Propel Homestead
Raising A Reader is expanded to two Head Start classrooms in Braddock
Reading Ready Pittsburgh adds West Mifflin, Wilkinsburg, and Swissvale to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
2022
Reading Ready Pittsburgh adds Ready 4K parent texting program
First Braddock Literacy Day
Dolly Parton Imagination Library reaches over 1000 children in Mon Valley
Librarian added to staff
Outreach Coordinator added to staff
2023
Second annual Braddock Literacy Day
Expanded programming to Home Visitors throughout Mon Valley and surrounding communities
Reading Ready Pittsburgh serves City of Pittsburgh by serving as interim Dolly Parton Imagination Library coordinator
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RRP hires its fourth staff member to serve as a Program Coordinator
2024
Reading Ready Pittsburgh opens B is for Books, a free bookstore for children, at 222 East 8th Avenue in Homestead, PA
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RRP becomes permanent host of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for the City of Pittsburgh
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Third annual Braddock Literacy Day
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Expand programming to Latino Community Center
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Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is offered to Sto-Rox (15136)
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Expand Raising a Reader to elementary schools
2025
Total books distributed surpasses 100,000
​Further expand Raising a Reader programming into more elementary schools
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Raising a Reader surpasses 40 sites
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B is for Books' first birthday party
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RRP hires its fifth staff member to serve as a Program Coordinator