You’re invited to an
intimate cocktail reception
Wednesday, June 8th, 2022 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM | Seattle
At this exclusive event, you’ll learn about the power and impact of the Founders Circle. Our members support readers in schools and homes in Seattle, classrooms in the Peruvian Andes, night schools in India, and everywhere in between.
Children are experiencing an unprecedented learning crisis brought on by the pandemic. The World Bank estimates that barely 30% of children in low- and middle-income countries will be able to comprehend a simple text by age 10. We’re working hard address this learning loss by bringing reading to children in need. By 2025 we will reach 25 million readers. But we’ll only get there with your support.
Founders Circle members, Elana and Andy Jassy (Amazon CEO) will share their passion for giving children the opportunity to read today, so they can build a better world tomorrow.
You’ll also hear from Mary Schimmelbusch, a teacher for Highline Schools in the Seattle area. Mary will share her experience with Worldreader’s Keep Children Reading program and how it has accelerating reading for children.
Date: Wednesday, June 8th, 2022, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Location: Daniel’s Broiler – Lake Union 809 Fairview Place North, Seattle
“You already know the marked advantages reading and reading proficiency bring to an underserved child’s education and future. Your gift to Worldreader is an investment in their critical need for improved instruction, development of reading habits and increased opportunities to learn at home and school. The children and families your contribution can impact will become contributors to the “better world” we can all build!”
Worldreader Board Chair
Chief Marketing Officer & Executive Vice President
of Consumer Business, Microsoft
If you’re unable to attend but would like to make a contribution to our work, please donate today. We’re extremely grateful for your generosity.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, children have suffered tremendous learning loss. A recent McKinsey report shows that students in the US were four months behind in reading by the end of the 2021 school year, with the pandemic hitting historically disadvantaged students the hardest. The numbers are even graver in many parts of the Global South. The time is now to address these inequities, and that starts with reading.
From the mountains of Peru to the city of Seattle, we are partnering with organizations and to bring BookSmart to children. With support from our Founders Circle, we provide children with a digital library of hundreds of books plus engaging learning activities that build reading skills. By giving children reading opportunities today, you are setting them up to build a better world tomorrow. Please join us to learn more about how your support will keep children reading!
In 2020, Worldreader launched a global crisis response, Keep Children Reading, to support vulnerable children during the first waves of the Covid-19 education crisis. The program continues to support children with a digital reading program on the BookSmart app. Supplementary reading at home and school helps combat learning loss and build resilience during these challenging times. To learn more about our recent projects, visit our 2021 Annual Report.
We are grateful to everyone who has supported Keep Children Reading. Special thanks to these individuals who were the earliest supporters of the US program through the Founders Circle. Through their generosity, Keep Children Reading will contribute to education equity efforts around the world and strengthen children’s learning for years to come.
Charles and Lorie Brighton
Alan and Vic Caplan
Chris Capossela and Leigh Toner
Bill and Lynn Carr
Richard and Kathie Dalzell
Andrew and Elana Jassy
Atul Khanna and Amna Naseer
Jason and Jamie Kilar
Neen and Kirk Koenigsbauer
Steve and Heather Murch
Lauri and Greg Nakamoto
Tod and Allison Nielsen
Alison and David Rich
Brian and Ann Roberts
Neil Roseman and Rose Tatlow
Praveen Seshadri and Ranjani Ramamurthy
Singer Family Foundation
Mike Sundermeyer and Carrie Anderson
David and Nancy Thacher
David Zapolsky and Lynn Hubbard