Letters: A literacy group worth celebrating

Reading Is Fundamental recently celebrated its 50th birthday as the nation’s oldest and largest children’s literacy non-profit organization. Through RIF, thousands of students receive new, high-quality books and reading support. RIF has proven that getting good books into the hands of children to read and own makes a huge difference in reading outcomes. Good books, classroom enrichment activities and teacher support improves outcomes even more.

More than 1,000 students in 27 schools in Richland 1 benefit from RIF programs, receiving new books that interest and motivate them. Literacy resources are also provided for families to strengthen the school-to-home connection. The district’s program has received numerous awards for innovative programming and community involvement.

RIF President Carol Hampton Rasco is a native of Columbia. Her leadership has kept RIF at the forefront in the battle for children’s literacy, as she works to sustain the program, initiate research and implement creative programming.

There are RIF kids throughout the nation who love this program. Let’s celebrate with them and keep programs like RIF alive and well in our community.

This story was originally published October 9, 2016 at 6:05 PM with the headline "Letters: A literacy group worth celebrating."