While schools make a concerted effort in reading readiness starting in kindergarten, far too many children come to school without pre-education experiences that prepare them for success. They have not had the nurturing and skill development necessary to take those important first steps in kindergarten.

Getting to that success requires teamwork among the medical community, the human service agencies, the home, the school and many others. With Literacy for Life, the Consortium is attempting to bridge those gaps for the sake of children. Literacy is every child’s most important achievement. Without it, the ability to succeed in every other endeavor is hampered. Reading is fundamental to our ability to thrive, succeed and enjoy the quality of life we desire.

Several components of Literacy for Life already are part of the Consortium's program, including:

• Power Reading on the River, (the in-school component of Literacy for Life.) There are two aspects of Power Reading on the River – Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) and Mon Valley Reads. In Drop Everything and Read, schools commit to a yearlong agenda, whether it be daily, weekly or monthly, and host a sustained a designated silent reading times. A typical school-year commitment, across the Consortium, adds up to some 17 million minutes of silent sustained reading. Mon Valley Reads is a region-wide observance in April when schools and/or classrooms celebrate reading and all things literary. From guest readers to an outdoor “brown-bag-and-book” lunch to dressing as a favorite book character, each classroom or school makes a major effort to emphasize the importance, and the joy, of reading.

• For the Love of Books, a 10-day used book drive, sponsored book store visits for children who will have the opportunity to select a free book, special in-store activities (storytelling, appearances by book characters, etc.) and certificates that provide a portion of the sales to the Consortium on designated days.

• Used Children’s Book Drives. Individuals, schools, classrooms, businesses, clubs and human and social service agencies all have conducted drives to collect age- appropriate children’s books. More than a half-million books have come in to date and are stored at Guardian Self Storage in the Waterfront.