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.

01.08.2026 Tips

How Schools Pay for Raising a Reader: Federal & State Funding Options

One of the most common questions schools ask is, “How do we fund Raising a Reader?” The good news: many schools use existing federal, state, and local funds already designated for literacy and family engagement. Federal Funding Opportunities Title I, Part A (ESSA)Many schools use Title I funds to support family engagement, supplemental literacy materials, and evidence-based programs—all of which align with Raising a ...

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Building Healthier Futures Through Reading: Valleywise Health and Raising a Reader

At Valleywise Health, caring for families means looking beyond clinical care to what truly supports lifelong health. As Arizona’s only public teaching health system—and the state’s largest safety-net provider—Valleywise Health serves communities where access, equity, and opportunity matter deeply. Through eight Family Resource Centers located within Federally Qualified Health Centers, Valleywise Health helps families reduce barriers and strengthen stability. These centers ...