The connection between reading and health might not be obvious to everyone. Reach Out and Read Colorado has made that link clear by enlisting healthcare providers in their mission to encourage reading and its many healthy benefits.

Reading does a lot more than soothe stress during an appointment: It’s one of few activities that benefit social, emotional, and mental health, and kids who are read to become better readers and more adept with language in general.

Or as one of the parents who have received Reach Out and Read Colorado books noted, “My daughter looks forward to our reading times during each day! Her love for books has built her language confidence and has helped to verbally connect what she sees on the pages of books to the world around her.”

Founded in 1989, Reach Out and Read is national network that provides books and other tools that help families make reading a part of their daily routine. Their model depends on partnerships with pediatric offices, making routine check-ups even more beneficial to parents and children. And it works: Families who participate are 250% more likely to read to their children. It’s no surprise that Reach Out and Read has achieved the honor of being the only pediatric literacy model endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

In Colorado, the organization currently partners with 341 medical offices to serve families from all 64 Colorado counties in support of its mission to improve school readiness and social-emotional skills.

Reach Out and Read Colorado provides critical support to children growing up in bilingual households by supplying books in more than 30 languages. It’s also getting books into the hands of kids who might not otherwise have them: Sixty-five percent of the children served by Reach Out and Read Colorado live in poverty.

Reach Out and Read’s model depends on healthcare partners who share books with patients and talk with their caregivers about the importance of reading together. Patients go home with a book and a prescription for reading together every day.

For partner physicians, books offer another way of evaluating a child’s development. Reach Out and Read Colorado provides training and support for providers to utilize books as a diagnostic tool.

For families who take home books, receiving the tools and information about why reading matters often leads to a steady reading habit, the benefits of which are profound: Children who are read to develop better language skills and bigger vocabularies before they start school. The element of cozy family time goes a long way, too, in strengthening parent-child bonds, developing confidence, and setting kids up for success.

Until every child grows up in a family that reads together, Reach Out and Read Colorado will keep fostering one reader at a time, knowing that time spent reading means healthier kids, families, and communities.

If reading is important to you, you’re probably especially well-prepared to contribute to Reach Out and Read Colorado—the organization is always happy to accept gently used books at their office, located at 1355 S. Colorado Boulevard in Denver.

But that’s not the only way to make a difference:

Make a one-time or recurring donation. Any amount is appreciated, and only $25 provides families with books and literacy guidance at four well-child visits.

Become a Social Impact Partner to support a specific clinic for a year or more by contacting info@reachoutandreadco.org. Social Impact Partners support all site operations at their sponsored neighborhood clinic and can work with Reach Out and Read Colorado staff to learn and to coordinate events.

Volunteer with Reach Out and Read Colorado. Host a book drive, volunteer in the office, help make an event come to life, or make a difference in whatever way calls to you. Email info@reachoutandreadco.org to find out about current opportunities.