Partnership in Action: Supporting Families When Communities Need It Most
By Michelle Torgerson, President and CEO, Raising a Reader
I grew up in the Twin Cities.
Minnesota is home for me. The schools, libraries, and community organizations across Minneapolis and St. Paul helped shape who I am today. Like many Minnesotans, I was raised with a deep respect for education, a commitment to showing up for my community, and an enduring sense of gratitude. The late US Senator from Minnesota, Paul Wellstone, said something similar, and so eloquently, ‘We all do better, when we all do better.’ These values continue to guide my work as CEO of Raising a Reader.
That is one reason the events unfolding in Minnesota earlier this year felt especially personal.
At Raising a Reader, we often say that literacy lights the way. Books open doors to imagination, language, and possibility. But they also do something equally important: they create connection and stability when families need it most.
In January 2026, many families across Minnesota experienced just such a moment.
Heightened federal immigration enforcement activity in the Twin Cities created widespread concern across communities. School leaders reported significant spikes in absenteeism as some families chose to keep children home while they assessed their safety and options. In response, several districts expanded virtual learning so students could continue their education from home.
For educators and community organizations, the sudden shift raised an urgent question: How do we support children when their routines, and sense of security, are disrupted?
Times like these remind us that the small things that bring us close to our loved ones are critical to our comfort, like sharing a books with a child on your lap. We already know that literacy does not happen only in classrooms. It happens in homes, libraries, and community spaces, wherever families and children come together around books.
And when families face uncertainty, partnerships matter.
Listening First
For several years, Raising a Reader has partnered with AmazeWorks, a St. Paul–based nonprofit that works with elementary schools across the Twin Cities to advance belonging, equity, and anti-bias education. Their programs help students explore identity, build empathy, and create school environments where every child feels valued.
Earlier this year, our teams connected for a simple conversation:
How can we support families right now?
The AmazeWorks team shared what they were seeing across their partner schools. With attendance fluctuating and some children temporarily homebound, families were navigating uncertainty. Schools were doing everything they could, but additional support for learning at home and nurturing family connections could make a meaningful difference.
The answer, we realized, could start with books.
Meeting Families Where They Are
In response to needs identified by AmazeWorks and their partner schools, Raising a Reader provided 600 bilingual book titles to be included in AmazeWorks distribution kits for families in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
These kits were designed for children who were temporarily learning from home or unable to attend school regularly. The goal was not simply to provide books, but to create opportunities for shared reading between parents and children.
Each title was selected through collaboration between our teams. We prioritized books that reflect diverse cultures and identities, support bilingual language development, and reinforce themes of belonging and community.
Representation in children’s literature matters every day. But during times of uncertainty, stories that affirm identity and belonging become even more powerful.
When children see their language, culture, or family experience reflected in a book, they receive an important message: you belong, and your story matters.
Partnership in Action
The collaboration between Raising a Reader and AmazeWorks reflects what partnership can look like at its best.
AmazeWorks brought deep relationships with schools and communities across the Twin Cities, helping identify the needs families were experiencing and ensuring support reached them quickly.
Raising a Reader contributed our expertise in curating high-quality children’s books and mobilizing resources to place those books directly into homes.
Together, we were able to respond quickly and thoughtfully.
At its core, this partnership reflects three principles that guide our work:
Listen closely to community partners.
Those closest to families often see needs first.
Respond with care and urgency.
Timely support can make a meaningful difference.
Meet families where they are.
Literacy support should extend beyond classrooms into homes and unfold with community.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
This effort would not have been possible without the dedication of many people.
Within Raising a Reader, I am grateful to Jennifer, Rebecca, Phil, and Phalla for their leadership in identifying titles, coordinating logistics, and ensuring books reached families quickly.
And to the entire AmazeWorks team, thank you for the work you do every day to support children, educators, and families across the Twin Cities.
Your commitment to belonging and equity strengthens schools and communities.
At Raising a Reader, we believe literacy is about more than books, it is about building the foundation for curiosity, confidence, and lifelong learning.
As someone who grew up in Minnesota, it means a great deal to see organizations across the Twin Cities come together to support families during challenging moments.
Because when communities work together, and when books are within reach, literacy truly can light the way.