Family Literacy Events

Adults and children sit on the floor in a classroom, reading books and interacting with therapy dogs.

How it Works

The more students read, the better their comprehension and fluency becomes. Reading outside the classroom, particularly at home, has a game-changing impact on literacy for young children. Habits of storytime and reading at home and access to home libraries are two strategies SitStayRead’s family literacy events support.

Learn about our approach

What it Entails

SitStayRead hosts Family Literacy Events at schools and community organizations in the city of Chicago. During these events, our staff, trained volunteers, and certified Dog Teams engage families in fun activities to promote the importance of reading at home, including:

Illustration of an adult and a child smiling while reading an open book together.

Read-Alouds

Red heart icon with a white paw print in the center, symbolizing love for animals or pets, on a light gray circular background.

Story Writing and Drawing Projects

Two playing cards, an ace of spades and a heart card, are shown overlapping on a white circular background.

Sight Word Games

Get Involved Today

SitStayRead also provides a mix of new and gently used books that kids can take home. The cost associated with these events ranges between $300 and $500.

A group of young children in school uniforms sit on a colorful classroom rug, each holding a copy of the book "Love Me Gently" and smiling at the camera.

Host an Event

If you’re interested having SitStayRead visit your location, please contact us for more information.

Six people stand and sit around a table displaying children's books, many in Spanish, smiling at the camera in a library or classroom setting.

Sponsor an Event

If you would like to sponsor one or more Family Literacy Events, please contact us and we will work with you to identify an opportunity for your gift to provide this essential intergenerational literacy event for one or more of our partners, or another mission-aligned group in Chicago.

Help Chicago Students Become Confident Readers

When young students build strong literacy skills early, their confidence grows– in the classroom and beyond. Help support Chicago early literacy programs by donating or becoming a volunteer.

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