February 2024 newsletter

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You’re Invited!

Please join us for our annual A Taste for Reading Luncheon on May 2 at the Four Seasons Seattle! You can find information about the event here.

Interested in attending and bringing some friends? Sign up to be a table captain!

Can’t attend the luncheon but still want to show your support? Click here to make a donation to give a kid in need the chance to read!


Thank you to The Sunstone Project and The Penny Project Foundation!

We are so excited to announce that, with the generous grant from The Sunstone Project and their parent foundation, Penny Project Foundation, we will be able to purchase 300 books in various world languages and over 1,700 books featuring diverse characters to represent all of our students. These books will help support all of our programs, but specifically our Story Leaders program by providing more families the opportunity to participate in their home languages. It will also give kids more diverse and representative options to choose from when making their Book Up Summer selections.

Sunstone Project founders Gray Triandiflou (left) and Danielle Lucido at the Page Ahead office dropping off new books. 


Celebrating Black History Month with books

February was Black History Month, and in honor of it, we encourage you and your young readers to read books that celebrate Black joy and achievement! There are so many great stories to choose from, for all ages, that amplify and highlight the Black experience. This year’s Caldecott Award-winning book Big, by Vashti Harrison is a great example. It’s a beautifully illustrated story that follows a young Black girl on her journey of self-acceptance as she struggles with comments on her body size. 

The Black Caucus of the American Library Association has released a booklist highlighting the best books of 2023 for readers K-8.

For ideas of stories to share with young readers in your life, browse this list of books that have been popular at our book fairs and in our programs featuring Black characters, both real and imagined.

Books are a powerful medium of representation and we hope that you and your loved ones can celebrate Black History Month through reading together. 


Left Coast Crime 2024 – Volunteers Wanted

Page Ahead is honored to be named the designated charity of the 2024 Left Coast Crime conference. We are looking for volunteers to help staff a table on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 to give attendees a better idea about what Page Ahead does! Can you help?  Sign up today! The conference will also be hosting an auction as their main fundraiser. If you have access to any local goods (art, books, coffee, etc.) that you would like to donate to the auction to help raise more money for Page Ahead please let us know!


Staff are reading…

Our Literacy Programs Manager, Lisa, is currently reading Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff. An action-packed sci-fi book for the YA audience, this book is a great read! Set in the year 2575, two teenagers are thrust into survival mode when their planet is attacked. If you enjoy space adventures with plagues and rogue AI, this a book to add to your list.


Get to know the newest member of Page Ahead!

Hi, I’m Laura! I spent the last two and a half years in the mental health sector, working with those with eating disorders primarily. I’ve always had a strong passion to work in fields that mean something to me personally—where I can connect with the population served on a deeper level. I grew up in West Seattle and have been SO fortunate to receive educational support from local organizations throughout my childhood, specifically with Rainier Scholars and even Page Ahead! Because of this support, I’ve always been driven to help kids reach milestones in reading and all of their educational goals. In elementary school, I participated in Page Ahead’s Books for Kids program! I’ve always loved reading from an early age and through Books for Kids, I actually got to own a copy of my favorite book, “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle. Reading has always been one of my favorite hobbies, and my mom jokes that the hardest part of raising me was the sheer number of hours we spent in the library each week. I’m overjoyed with the ability to help foster the same joy in reading, that I’ve had my whole life, for the next generation of readers.

I’ve joined Page Ahead as the Community Outreach Specialist and much of my work will be helping volunteers and supporters, so you might start seeing emails from me (if you haven’t already)! Next time you’re at Page Ahead, please pop into my office to say hello!

I’m so excited to work with everyone going forward!!

We’re Hiring!

Full Time/Salary/Non-Exempt
Salary range: $58 – 61k

Agency Overview
Page Ahead Children’s Literacy Program works to increase the reading achievement of students from low-income communities in Washington. A child who is not reading proficiently at the end of third grade is FOUR times more likely to drop-out of school before graduating than one who is. Starting with improving book access in the home, Page Ahead works to break down barriers to achievement and provides reading interventions that support children and families.

The Position
Do you love the idea of helping children become strong readers? Have you ever been complimented on your organization skills? Do you have a heart for people and enjoy providing great customer service? If so, Page Ahead’s Community Outreach Specialist position might be the right fit for you!
The Community Outreach Specialist is the glue that binds the Page Ahead team together. The position works with every member of the team, as well as all of our volunteers, board members, supporters and school partners. You will enjoy this position the most if you are the kind of person who likes being in the center of everything.
Primary Responsibilities
Volunteer Coordination (40%)

  • Work with program and development managers to determine current needs, then manage all aspects of volunteer recruitment, from creating posts and marketing on social media to running background checks on new volunteers
  • Utilize our database to identify and schedule volunteers for office, event and/or program activities
  • Provide training, encouragement and abundant appreciation. Plan volunteer appreciation party, recognize birthdays and milestones, etc
  • Manage all volunteer communication, including producing the quarterly volunteer newsletter
  • Work with corporate groups to support team volunteering. Prepare materials and provide instructions, share the ‘why’ what they are doing is important, and recognize achievement in person and in public (via social media)
  • Greet and welcome all volunteers, book drive coordinators/donors, and visitors
    Development Support (40%)
  • Assist in planning and overseeing fundraising activities and events
  • Utilize design software to create flyers, sponsorship packets, invitations, postcards, etc
  • Responsible for all aspects of the donor acknowledgement experience, from opening the mail to recording donations in our database, to generating thank you letters. Works with board members to recognize supporters as appropriate.
  • Run reports in database to support development manager in planning and tracking results from fundraising events and campaigns
  • Order print materials, t-shirts and supplies for events, appeals and book drives
    Program Coordination (10%)
  • Support our school partners by verifying volunteer needs and creating/posting volunteer shifts online
  • Order all supplies and materials (book bags, labels, etc)
  • Manage the packing and shipping process for all programs – including packing and scheduling UPS shipments, providing tracking information to school partners, etc
  • Communicate program activities through social media, Page Ahead newsletter, and website
  • Create and update program documents, forms and spreadsheets
  • Coordinate closely with program manager to ensure each program’s volunteer needs are met
    Administrative/Communication Tasks (10%)
  • Update website content on monthly basis
  • Manage Page Ahead’s social media accounts
  • Provide bookkeeping support: batch and prepare invoices for payment, prepare cash receipts for deposit, etc.
  • Assume primary responsibility for maintaining office and printer networks, office machines and phones. Troubleshoot problems and provide support and training to other staff. Coordinate with IT vendor to solve problems/schedule maintenance.
  • Assist Executive Director with board administration, including assembling board packets, and coordinating communication and calendars
    Minimum Qualifications
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to organize and share complex information clearly and concisely. (We are a literacy organization after all!)
  • Related employment or educational experience, which may include customer service, data entry, relationship management, and public outreach.
  • You must be detail-oriented and have strong organizational skills to manage a high volume of volunteer/donor interactions and accurate database entry. Experience managing ongoing customer relationships and/or accounts preferred.
  • Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and social justice
  • Strong customer service orientation, and passion for direct engagement with donors, volunteers and our school partners.
  • Competency or willingness to learn WordPress, Google Suite, Bloomerang (or another customer relationship management platform).
  • Competency in and/or a willingness to learn Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar creative products.
  • Desirable Qualifications
  • Previous experience working with volunteers
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Ability to connect with a diverse group of people
  • Ability to successfully prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and reach goals
  • Experience developing visuals, marketing collateral, etc
  • Effective at working on a small, collaborative team as well as independently
  • Ability to organize others and contribute to team’s ability to stay on track
    This is a 40 hour per week position, and very occasional evening and weekend work is sometimes required. Page Ahead is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. All interested individuals are encouraged to apply, particularly people of color, women, and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, and/or intersex.
    Page Ahead offers a competitive benefits package that includes: health/dental/vision insurance, retirement matching, vacation/sick leave, and 12 paid holidays. From our book-filled, accessible office in the Crown Hill neighborhood of Seattle, we serve all of Washington state. Some local travel will be expected.
    As part of our partnership agreement with schools, employment with Page Ahead will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Page Ahead is a scent-free office.

    To Apply
    Email your resume AND cover letter to: jobs@pageahead.org

    Please no phone calls.

December 2023 newsletter

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First Tech’s Season of Giving: You did it!

Your nominations helped power us to victory in the First Tech Season of Giving contest. Hooray! Because of your stellar efforts, Page Ahead will be receiving a $10,000 grant from our friends at First Tech Federal Credit Union.

This grant will build home libraries of 12 books each for 200 students—that’s 2,400 brand-new books on kids’ shelves that weren’t there before. That’s the equivalent of building home libraries for every single kindergartner, first grader, and second grader at a school like Madrona Elementary in Sea-Tac!

Thank you to our community of supporters and champions of children’s literacy! And, especially to First Tech!


What your support makes possible: preschool reading

We recently shipped copies of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, The Snowy Day, and Giraffes Can’t Dance to 1,778 preschoolers across Washington as part of our Story Leaders program. Teachers read each book using shared-reading techniques we train them in, and kids get copies of each book to take home! Learn more here.


No child should have to grow up without a bedtime story

Books are learning’s most important tool. They are also one of life’s great pleasures. No child should have to grow up without books to read at bedtime. With your help, they don’t have to. Please make a gift today. Students like Stephanie are counting on you!


Holiday book shopping

During this giving season, we are delighted that our friends at Edmonds Bookshop are making it extra simple for anyone to put new books in the hands of kids who need them. Stop by Edmonds Bookshop between December 18 – 22 to complete your holiday shopping and support their efforts to give kids in need the chance to read!


Airway Heights Reading Event

A huge round of applause to the wonderful volunteers who read to the 100+ kids at Sunset Elementary. We had a fantastic crew of volunteers from AgWest Farm Credit, who had also decorated bookmarks for each student. These fantastic adults brought the magic of storytelling to life. Thank you for turning reading into a super fun adventure for the students! They loved selecting a new book to keep, and they especially loved reading with you all.  You’re all superheroes in our book!


All of us at Page Ahead send warm holiday wishes to you – heroes!

Thanks to your advocacy, financial support, and volunteering, thousands of kids in need across Washington experienced the joy of choosing great new books to read and building their home libraries in 2023. What a wonderful gift—thank you!

Page Ahead staff, clockwise from top left: Stacey, Susan and Lisa.

Ballard Gives Back at Secret Garden Books

November 24 – 26, you can visit our friends at Secret Garden Books in Ballard and get great deals on books and gifts for all ages.  Secret Garden is generously donating a portion of their sales from Friday through Sunday to Page Ahead, and they are accepting books and gift certificates purchased on Page Ahead’s behalf as well. Stop by to say hi, shop local, and give!

November 2023 newsletter

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First Tech’s Season of Giving

Our friends at First Tech Federal Credit Union are once again running their Season of Giving community campaign, and Page Ahead is in the running for a $10,000 grant!

Nominate Page Ahead now through November 30—your nomination could make the difference for Page Ahead and the kids we serve!

Have you already voted? Then please share the link with your friends, family, and colleagues. Your vote and theirs can help give 200 kids in need new books!

Please nominate Page Ahead, now – November 30. Remember, you can vote once per browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) on each device (phone, tablet, work PC, home laptop).


EY Connect Day

Big cheers and high-fives to the amazing volunteers who rocked EY Connect Day 2023! We had a fantastic crew of volunteers from EY and Page Ahead. These awesome adults brought the magic of storytelling to life at Bailey Gatzert Elementary this month. Thanks for turning reading into a super fun adventure for the students! They loved selecting a new book to keep, and they especially loved reading with you all.  You’re all superheroes in our book!


Holiday book shopping

During this giving season, we are delighted our friends at Barnes & Noble are making it extra easy for everyone to get books for everyone on their list AND for the kids Page Ahead serves!

Holiday book drives are on from November 1 to December 8 at multiple Barnes & Nobles around Washington: 


Ballard Gives Back at Secret Garden Books

November 24 – 26, you can visit our friends at Secret Garden Books in Ballard and get great deals on books and gifts for all ages. 

Secret Garden is generously donating a portion of their sales from Friday and Saturday to Page Ahead, and they are accepting books and gift certificates purchased on Page Ahead’s behalf as well. Stop by to say hi, shop local, and give!


Save the date: GivingTuesday 2023

There’s Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and now, in it’s 11th year, GivingTuesday.

This year on November 28, GivingTuesday is an opportunity for communities all around the world to come together in generosity.

Page Ahead will have some exciting news to share around GivingTuesday this year . . . so mark the Tuesday after Thanksgiving on your calendar and watch your inbox!


Thankful

Dear Donors: Thank you for all the books I got so I can read forever and I will make my kids read tooo, they will be happy in the future. I love the book so much! reading make me happy I will never stop reading and noone will stop me from reading. Books Books I love books! Respectfully, Jaiden” – Edison Elementary

Holiday Book Shopping

During this giving season, we are delighted our friends at Barnes & Noble are making it extra easy for everyone to get books for everyone on their list AND for the kids Page Ahead serves!

Holiday book drives are on from November 1 to December 8 at multiple Barnes & Nobles around Washington: 

October 2023 newsletter

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PACCAR + Mariners = Books for Kids

PACCAR has teamed up with the Seattle Mariners through the RBIs for Literacy program to benefit Page Ahead, and together, they create thousands of reading opportunities for kids in need. Now in its 17th season, this incredible partnership has given over 280,000 books to create home libraries for more than 23,000 kids who need them most. 

And that’s only part of the story.  PACCAR employees also support kids and reading by holding a company-wide book drive and volunteering to read with students. This September they collected 1,836 new books via their book drive. Thank you, PACCAR, for your incredible partnership!

Pictured left to right is PACCAR Foundation executive Ken Hastings, PACCAR Kenworth employee Tera McCormack, Page Ahead executive director Susan Dibble, and Page Ahead board president Mark Fitzgerald.

Fall is workplace giving season

Did you know you can support kids and reading through a payroll deduction? Workplace campaigns allow you to designate Page Ahead as your charity of choice—simply select Page Ahead (aka Books for Kids) on your giving form or in your corporate giving portal. Page Ahead’s Tax ID is: 91-1600084

We are also happy to come speak at any campaign kickoffs or team meetings—just get in touch. Email us!

If you’d like to hold a workplace fundraiser or book drive either online or in person, we can help with that, too!
Click here 
for ideas or get in touch.


Holiday book shopping

During this giving season, we are delighted our friends at Barnes & Noble are making it extra easy for everyone to get books for everyone on their list AND for the kids Page Ahead serves!

Holiday book drives are on from November 1 to December 8 at multiple Barnes & Nobles around Washington: 


Coming soon: First Tech’s Season of Giving

Our friends at First Tech Federal Credit Union will once again be running their Season of Giving community campaign, and Page Ahead will be in the running for a $10,000 grant! Voting opens November 1, so stay tuned—your vote could make the difference for Page Ahead and the kids we serve!


If you think Page Ahead is a great nonprofit, let us know!

GreatNonprofits—a review site like TripAdvisor—is honoring highly reviewed nonprofits with their 2023 Top-Rated Awards. Your review of your experience being part of the Page Ahead community will help us raise visibility (and funds from more supporters!). It’s easy and will take just two minutes. Go to our page on GreatNonprofits.org to get started!


The students love their new books!

Here are a few thank you notes from students across Washington State:

“Dear Donors, Thanks for giving us money for the books we love you. I really can’t wait to read it. Your friend Salem” Leschi Elementary, Seattle

“I love my books. I will read the books every day. I will make my own little reading room. I love picture books. I love books because books help me learn new things. I am going to read the books to my family. Thank you for the books, Stephanie”
Edison Elementary, Tacoma

“Dear Donors: I am thankful for getting the 12 free books. First, when I saw them, I was in shock because I said in my mind that I will read them over and over again. Next, when I am an adult I will read them to my kids. Also, my kids will love the books you gave me when I’m an adult. Respectfully, London” Little Mountain Elementary, Mount Vernon

“Dear Donors, Thank you for the 12 books I can’t waint to read them forever! I am so Happy! From, Hanif  I LOVE BOOKS!” Seahurst Elementary, Burien

September 2023 newsletter

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We Celebrate literacy month at local HPB bookstores

There’s still time! This month, join Half Price Books in helping local kids in need get the chance to read.

Shop at Half Price Books in September to support Page Ahead! Donate your change to make change in your community. Give at the coin box located at the registers at your local Half Price Books stores.


Shop for a cause

Do you shop at Fred Meyer or QFC? In one easy step you can link your rewards card to Page Ahead and support children’s literacy in our region. Our code is RA365. Sign up here!


Welcome, new board members!

Page Ahead welcomes Kartik Kanakasabesanand and Rudmila Rahmanto our board of directors

Kartik Kanakasabesan is a Principal PM Manager at Microsoft where he has worked at since moving to Seattle in 2016. Kartik has an MBA from the University of Toronto. Kartik has had an international upbringing throughout his childhood and adulthood. Throughout his life he has lived in different countries around the world. He has seen first-hand how proper nutrition and reading skills can impact a child’s trajectory in life in a positive way. Kartik understands the importance of being a part of and serving the community around him. 

Rudmila Rahman is currently at Amazon on the Corporate Development team where her role involves leading partnerships and investments to provide new financial products to customers and sellers on Amazon.com. Prior to this role, she held leadership roles in corporate strategy, M&A and partnerships teams at both F500 companies like Barclays Bank and MetLife, and also a fintech startup OnDeck Capital. She began her career at The World Bank working in development economics and financing in South Asia. Having been raised by parents who are educators with a household full of books, Rudmila is passionate about childrens’ education and equity. She is excited by Page Ahead’s approach and dedication to making reading so accessible!

We would also like to thank our dedicated departing board member: 

Daniel Frankel for his years of service.

Your time, efforts, and leadership helped kids in need to succeed in their academic endeavors.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!


What your support makes possible: preschool reading

This week we began shipping hundreds of copies of Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, Lola Reads to Leo, and Please, Mr. Panda to our preschool partner sites as part of our Story Leaders program. Teachers read each book using shared-reading techniques we train them in, and kids get copies of each book to take home! Learn more here.


Plan a holiday book drive

Thank you to our friends at Stryker who held an amazing book drive last year—and are at it again this year!

Hosting a book drive to benefit the kids Page Ahead serves is a great way for your company, corporate team, or even a group like an extended family or book club to celebrate the spirit of giving AND make a difference in a child’s life. 

Learn more about this great opportunity for giving back during the holidays—or anytime!—here.

Or, to make it even easier: Contact us!