Reach Out and Read Wisconsin
Reach Out and Read Wisconsin
More than just books, Reach Out and Read Wisconsin uses trusted medical professionals to support parents and encourage healthy child development.

Reach Out and Read Wisconsin Receives $45,000 Grant

The grant will fund a diverse book initiative called Mirror & Windows. It will deepen the dialogue with clinic staff about the importance of diverse books that both reflect children's lives and offer windows into the experience of other people.

Impact

With 290 participating sites in medical clinics across Wisconsin, we provide more than 146,300 children and their families in 57 counties with books and resources to empower parents as their child’s first and best teacher.

 

Reach Out and Read is a two generation intervention built and backed by science and a growing body of academic research. We utilize the existing medical infrastructure to encourage supportive, educational conversations with parents on the importance of reading aloud and the impact on a child’s brain development.

 

Read our latest impact report.

Our Program
The first three years of a child's life are critical. By promoting reading aloud and positive daily child-caregiver interactions, Reach Out and Read Wisconsin helps ensure that every child has the healthy foundation they need - cognitively, socially and emotionally.
146,300
children served
289
program sites
260,000
books distributed
Give the gift of Reach Out and Read to a Wisconsin family today.

“I would rather walk into a child’s regular checkup without my stethoscope than without a book.”

Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD
Reach Out and Read Medical Director, Wisconsin

THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS

Reach Out and Read Wisconsin is supported by trusted pediatricians, residents and medical providers across the state who give their time, talents and expertise to help support parents in preparing their children for success in school and in life.

  • Corporate, Foundation and Government Support

    Croen Foundation

    Hugh J. Anderson Foundation

    Otto Bremer Trust

    Roots & Wings Foundation

    State of Wisconsin

    TJX Foundation

    U.S. Venture

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  • Health System Partners

    Children’s Wisconsin

    UW American Family Children’s Hospital

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  • Individual Donors $500 +

    Dr. Molly Cousins

    Jessica and James Doyle

    Dan Fallon and Mary Morgan

    Aaron Frank

    Julie Hayward

    Dr. Susanne Krasovich

    Ms. Rhona Mahony and Dr. Jeremy Bulow

    Barbara and Henry Nehls-Lowe

    Dipesh Navsaria

    Jonathan Wertz

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  • Individual Donors $250 – $499

    Sarah Barton

    Michele and John Erikson

    Linda Leonhart

    Madison Monona Lioness Club

    Dr. Wendy Molaska and Mr. Keith McClelland

    Dr. Rajiv Naik

    Dr. Zobra and Ms. Penelope Paster

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  • Book Buddies (monthly donors)

    Maureen and Charles Adams

    Anonymous

    Matt Crespin

    Caitlin Fahy

    Linda Haney

    Justin Jabs

    Ms. Karin Mahony and Dr. Adam Balin

    Anthony Sturm

    Cori Thiermann

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  • In-Kind Support

    All About Books

    Interstate Books4School

    Pampers

    Scholastic, Inc.

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  • Strategic Partnerships

    Cooperative Children’s Book Center

    Raising Wisconsin

    Reach Out and Read Partners – Fox Cities

    Reach Out and Read Partners – Manitowoc County

    United Way of Greater Chippewa Valley

    Wisconsin Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics

    Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

    Wisconsin Literacy, Inc.

    Wisconsin Public Library System

     

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  • Advisory Council

    Sarah Barton, Acelero Learning

    Ann Cooksey, Appleton Public Library

    Molly Cousin, MD, Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers

    Matthew Crespin, MPH, RDH, Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin

    Jessica Doyle, Retired educator, Former First Lady of Wisconsin

    Michele Erikson, Wisconsin Literacy, Inc.

    David Gerhard, MD, Gundersen Health System

    Susanne Krasovich, MD, ProHealth Care

    Linda Leonhart, MS, ABD, Retired, Former State Collaboration Director, Head Start Consultant, WI Department of Public Instruction

    Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Children’s Cooperative Book Center

    Wendy Molaska, MD, FAAFP, Dedicated Family Care

    Mary Morgan, Reading Group Choices

    Colleen Murphy, PhD, Community Early Childhood Systems Building Start Early

     

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In addition to our medical community, we are extremely grateful to our state, community, foundation partners and individuals that help us reach more children each year.

Meet Our Team

Email us: wisconsin@reachoutandread.org

Mailing Address: 5606 N Argyle Ave. Glendale, WI 53209

 

 

DeDe Williams

Executive Director
dede.williams@reachoutandread.org
608-384-5602

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Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD

Medical Director
dipesh@navsaria.com

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Lisa Falduto

Program Director
lisa.falduto@reachoutandread.org
715-226-6612

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Cori Thiermann

Development Director
cori.thiermann@reachoutandread.org
706-844-6215

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Amber Bloom

Senior Program Manager (Southeast)
amber.bloom@reachoutandread.org
608-573-5660

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Sandie Thao

Operations Manager
sandie.thao@reachoutandread.org
920-557-9104

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Liz Smith

Marketing Communications Manager
liz.smith@reachoutandread.org
920-385-5807

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Julie Dorshorst

Program Manager (Northwest)
julie.dorshorst@reachoutandread.org
534-220-4374

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Colleen Holz

Program Manager (Fox Cities)
cholz@apl.org
920-832-6346

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Cari Ritter

Program Manager (Southwest)
cari.ritter@reachoutandread.org
608-736-2861

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Alexandria Rogers

Program Manager (South Central)
alex.rogers@reachoutandread.org
608-472-4655

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Melissa Sanders

Program Manager (Northeast)
melissa.sanders@reachoutandread.org
920-221-1936

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DeDe Williams

Executive Director
dede.williams@reachoutandread.org
608-384-5602

Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD

Medical Director
dipesh@navsaria.com

Lisa Falduto

Program Director
lisa.falduto@reachoutandread.org
715-226-6612

Cori Thiermann

Development Director
cori.thiermann@reachoutandread.org
706-844-6215

Amber Bloom

Senior Program Manager (Southeast)
amber.bloom@reachoutandread.org
608-573-5660

Sandie Thao

Operations Manager
sandie.thao@reachoutandread.org
920-557-9104

Liz Smith

Marketing Communications Manager
liz.smith@reachoutandread.org
920-385-5807

Julie Dorshorst

Program Manager (Northwest)
julie.dorshorst@reachoutandread.org
534-220-4374

Colleen Holz

Program Manager (Fox Cities)
cholz@apl.org
920-832-6346

Cari Ritter

Program Manager (Southwest)
cari.ritter@reachoutandread.org
608-736-2861

Alexandria Rogers

Program Manager (South Central)
alex.rogers@reachoutandread.org
608-472-4655

Melissa Sanders

Program Manager (Northeast)
melissa.sanders@reachoutandread.org
920-221-1936