Contact Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Associate Director
Worlds of Words renews our commitment to make a meaningful impact on middle and high school readers through the Worlds of Words Center Reading Ambassador program. Since its inception in 2018, the Reading Ambassador program has been instrumental in creating a community for young people around reading, equipping them with real-world skills and experiences that extend beyond the pages of a book. We hope that you will contribute to the success of the Reading Ambassadors by participating in our crowdfund campaign at crowdfund.arizona.edu/wow.
Program Overview
The Reading Ambassador program immerses local middle and high school readers in a college-like experience within the realm of literature written specifically for them. Under the guidance of faculty and staff with backgrounds in children’s literature, education, library science and marketing, Reading Ambassadors select the novels they want to read and discuss. Each book cycle occurs over the course of two months, with four book cycles per year. The first month, we discuss the book and create plans for how to share it with peers. The next month, middle schoolers host an event during which they meet the author of the book they read while teens work on a choice project inspired by their reading. Reading Ambassadors are responsible for set up and clean up, greeting attendees and partners, and moderating the program. Finally, we record an episode of our podcast, WOW Reads, to unpack the whole experience.
Impact and Benefits
- Literacy Promotion: Reading Ambassadors play a pivotal role in promoting reading within their school communities. And by engaging directly with published authors of young adult literature, they not only gain insights into the creative process but also develop a deeper appreciation for the power of storytelling.
- Educational Enrichment: Reading Ambassadors participate in literature discussions similar to what is offered in upper division children’s literature classes, devise strategies to share their newfound knowledge with peers, and plan and execute public events for the community. This multifaceted approach enhances their critical thinking abilities and encourages them to explore diverse perspectives.
- Community Engagement: Reading Ambassadors extend their impact beyond their experience in the center by creating book displays at their schools, producing podcasts and leveraging social media to spark enthusiasm for reading among their peers. Additionally, Reading Ambassadors gain experience and independence as they communicate with a range of people across multiple contexts. This initiative fosters a sense of community and collective learning, encouraging students to become advocates for literacy within their own spheres of influence.
- Resource Distribution: In addition to the free books we provide to the Reading Ambassadors, they receive additional copies to donate to their school libraries (or other educational entity), ensuring that these literary works continue to inspire others. This initiative not only enriches school library collections but also broadens access for all students.
Why Your Support Matters
By investing in the Reading Ambassador program, you are directly contributing to the enrichment of local teens and pre-teens and promoting a lifelong love for reading. Here’s how your donation can make a difference:
Encouraging Youth Leaders: Your support enables us to continue offering this transformative experience, supporting growth as advocates for literacy within their communities.
Expanding Access to Literature: Your contribution ensures that more students have access to diverse and engaging young adult and middle grade literature, fostering a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and social issues.
Sustaining Program Excellence: Your financial support helps sustain the high standards of the program, ensuring that future cadres of students benefit from this unique educational opportunity.
Testimonials and Success Stories
The impact of the Reading Ambassador program is best captured through the testimonials of participants whose lives have been positively influenced by this initiative. One Teen Reading Ambassador shares that he applied for the program because, “Somehow computers and phone cut off what I used to love about reading,” He continued, “I hope that I can meet other cool kids that are not embarrassed that they read. I hope they’ll inspire me.”
In contrast, our last anonymous survey showed that 100% of the Teen Reading Ambassadors reported that they would recommend the program to a friend. They did find joy in reading and sharing books with their peers.
What you can do:
The Reading Ambassador program represents opportunity for teens seeking to expand their horizons through youth literature. Your support is crucial in ensuring that this invaluable program continues to thrive, inspiring the next generation of readers, thinkers, and leaders.
Join us in making a lasting impact on the lives of young people today by selecting one of the levels to the right of this message and donating. Together, we can promote literacy and cultivate a community where young people have the opportunity to explore the world through the power of reading.
Visit our crowdfund campaign at crowdfund.arizona.edu/wow and make your donation.
Thank you for considering this remarkable opportunity to invest in our youth readers. Your generosity will make worlds of difference.
WOW Currents is a space to talk about forward-thinking trends in global children’s and adolescent literature and how we use that literature with students. “Currents” is a play on words for trends and timeliness and the way we talk about social media. We encourage you to participate by leaving comments and sharing this post with your peers. To view our complete offerings of WOW Currents, please visit its archival stream.
- Themes: Crowdfund Campaign, Reading Ambassadors, Rebecca Ballenger
- Descriptors: Student Connections, WOW Currents