Vision2Read

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

Sixty-nine percent of San Bernardino County 3rd graders did not meet state English language/literacy standards in 2015. The County and our local city, school, special district, business and non-profit partners recognized literacy impacts all elements of our community – public safety, education, wellness, jobs and the economy. An educated workforce will attract employers and investment to our county. With that in mind, the Vision2Read campaign launched in September 2015 to promote existing literacy resources and provide a website, Vision2Read.com, where people could get help reading or volunteer to help someone learn to read. Through November 2016, more than 170,000 people were connected to literacy programs through Vision2Read. A presence was also established on social media. Vision2Read launched at a Sept. 19, 2015 Family Reading Rally where the Molina Foundation donated 50,000 books to schoolchildren. In January 2016, First 5 San Bernardino invested $250,000 to expand the Reach Out and Read program in the county, which provides books to pediatricians to give to their patients to reinforce reading as a critical activity for brain development. In summer 2016, libraries countywide held a summer reading program challenge, increasing the number of participants by 28.3 percent in 2016 with 47,632 people compared to 2015 with 37,122 people. Over the first 15 months, 92,400 people participated in numerous events and reading challenges held at County Library branches. On Dec. 6, 2016, the Board celebrated the campaign by recognizing 35 Reading Heroes – people nominated by the community for their contributions to literacy. The Vision2Read website was created by County Information Services Department for $19,449; United Ways of San Bernardino County curated literacy resources for $10,194; and a marketing plan and materials cost $35,000. Vision2Read’s community events were staffed by contract marketing staff or at no additional cost by members of the Countywide Vision Leadership Team.