Masons of California, Raising a Reader and WUSD Expand Programs to Improve Afghan Refugee Student Literacy

10.06.2024

With the generous support of the Masons of California, we’ve developed our first-ever collection of bilingual books in both English and Farsi to serve families in Washington Unified School District in
West Sacramento. This expansion reaffirms our commitment to ensuring every child feels seen and valued. Over the past 13 years, with the Masons’ continued support, we’ve reached more than 920 classrooms statewide, and Washington Unified is the latest addition to our growing impact.

Raising a Reader CEO, Michelle Torgerson, shares more in this interview with CapRadio. You can also watch this clip from ABC News and, click the image below to read the full article from the West Sacramento – News Ledger.

03.09.2026 From the CEO

Partner Spotlight: Barefoot Books

Creating Access to high quality stories, and joy for all! At Raising a Reader, we believe every family deserves joyful, inclusive, and high-quality reading experiences at home. Our partners play a critical role in making that vision real, and Barefoot Books is a shining example. Known for elevating diverse voices and global stories, Barefoot Books creates beautifully designed children’s books that spark curiosity, ...

02.17.2026 Super Summer Learning Adventures

It’s Not Too Early to Think About Summer (Really)

If summer planning isn’t on your radar yet, you’re not behind—you’re right on time. The best summer learning programs don’t come together in June. They’re built early, when teams still have breathing room to align staffing, outreach, materials, and family engagement plans. That’s exactly why now is the best time to start. Visit the SSLA page for upcoming webinar info and ...