Welcome to Read it Out Loud, a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to enhancing childhood literacy. Our core mission is to ensure that every child under 5 years old in Washington County, UT, has access to books through an upcoming partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program. What makes us unique among nonprofits is our unwavering commitment to inclusivity; ALL children aged 0 to 5 years are embraced in our mission, regardless of their socioeconomic background. In our area, each of the 11,000 children under the age of 5 can participate in this program. They will each receive a book every month, delivered directly to them, until they reach 5 years of age, irrespective of their family's income level, thus advancing literacy within our community. In the words of Dolly Parton herself, "You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children."
Created in 2023 in St. George, UT, Read it Out Loud was founded by Kim Kuhn in response to a pressing need for improved literacy. Through her experience working and volunteering at elementary, junior high, and high schools, Kim witnessed the challenges students of all ages faced with reading, impacting their self-esteem and communication skills. By engaging students in reading out loud with her, she saw remarkable growth, particularly among older children. Many transitioned from frustration and a desire to quit after struggling with beginner books, to radiant smiles and high-fives upon completing those very same books.
In 2020, Kim was introduced to an exceptional international initiative dedicated to bettering childhood literacy by providing young children easy access to books: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. As she delved into research about Dolly's foundation, Kim fell in love with the Imagination Library program, particularly impressed by its documented success in advancing childhood literacy. She could see how this endeavor not only nurtured a love for reading but also fostered parent/guardian-child bonding through shared storytelling experiences. Moreover, it aimed to instill a lifelong passion for literature.
Motivated by her admiration for the Imagination Library's movement, she is driven to bring this invaluable program to the children in her own community. To achieve this goal, assistance is required from a local nonprofit. Thus, Read it Out Loud was born.
According to recent demographic data, there are approximately 11,002 children in the Washington County, UT, area who are in the age range of 0-5 years old. Our future partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library will ensure that all those children have equal access to high-quality books that reflect their interests and experiences. Every month, this global initiative delivers a book to each enrolled child age 0-5 years old, completely free of charge to families, regardless of their economic situation.
By teaming up with the Imagination Library to establish their program in Washington County, we're confident that we can make a tangible difference in the lives of our youngest residents and help set them on the path to lifelong learning success. We're excited to connect with individuals, businesses, and organizations to join our cause. Together, we can bring this incredible resource to thousands of children in Washington County, empowering them to foster imagination, explore new worlds, and dream big through the magic of books!
Read it Out Loud's vibrant team is committed to nurturing the literacy journey of our youth. Through collaborative efforts, we are working hard to bring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to our community with the intention to foster a profound love for reading in children and empower them by unlocking the power of words.
Founder/Executive Director
Kim has devoted over 30 years to enriching communities through her diverse array of roles within educational and children's organizations. She has seamlessly blended work, volunteerism, and leadership across a spectrum of international and local nonprofits, schools, and religious sects.
In 2021, Kim earned her Bachelor of Science degree in English from Dixie State University (since rebranded as Utah Tech University). From 2020 to 2021, she served as the president of the university's local chapter of the prestigious Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society, Alpha Pi Epsilon, where she actively engaged in numerous hours of community service focused on promoting literacy. Additionally, she represented the Far Western Region of the U.S. for Sigma Tau Delta, further showcasing her dedication to academic excellence and community engagement. It was during this period that she became acquainted with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
Passionate about advancing literacy, she and her husband, Frank, have dedicated themselves to fostering a love for reading in their daughter, Marissa, from infancy through her independent reading journey. In addition, Kim has volunteered in school reading programs, tutors individuals of all ages in reading and writing, and spearheads Read it Out Loud.
Her desire is to make sure everyone can easily get their hands on books, especially kids and their grown-ups, so they can enjoy reading together without any hassle. Kim firmly believes that reading aloud to children from birth equips them with an invaluable tool for empowerment, unlocking boundless opportunities in their lives!
Director
Frank is a testament to the transformative power of resilience, dedication, and the profound impact of receiving support at crucial moments in life. Born with a hearing impairment that led to speech and learning challenges, Frank faced obstacles that many of us can only imagine. These early difficulties, compounded by a significant case of dyslexia, set the stage for what would become a remarkable journey of overcoming and triumph.
Despite these hurdles, Frank's story is not one of limitations, but of limitless potential unlocked through perseverance. With the unwavering support of his parents, the dedicated guidance of special education teachers, and the tailored assistance of tutors, Frank embarked on a rigorous journey towards literacy and learning. It was a path fraught with challenges, yet illuminated by the power of patience and hard work.
Forced to confront his difficulties head-on, Frank developed a relationship with reading that was both hard-fought and deeply rewarding. The act of reading, once a formidable challenge, became a gateway to new worlds, ideas, and opportunities. This transformation was not just academic; it was a profound personal victory that reshaped Frank's understanding of his capabilities and future.
Today, Frank stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless children facing similar battles. As a business owner and a member of Read it Out Loud's Board of Directors, he is dedicated to empowering children through literacy by endeavors such as encouraging his daughter through her reading and educational journeys; helping others understand the effects of dyslexia and resources that help those who have been diagnosed; donating three specially designed Little Free Libraries to Utah Tech University's Sigma Tau Delta chapter's Little Free Library program and placing those stands in parks throughout St. George and Washington, UT; and working vigorously to bring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to the young children in his community, so that they can have easy monthly access to books. These examples are more than just actions to promote literacy; they embody a personal mission, rooted in Frank's own experiences, to ensure that no child is left to face, what could be, a daunting path to literacy alone.
Director
Marissa has loved reading since she was a wee babe. Her parents, Kim and Frank, always made time to read with her and ensured she was able to access books. One of her favorite memories is dragging her dad to the store to purchase The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (now one of her all-time favorites) so she could take it to school the next day. She found out that her favorite author was going to visit her elementary school and wanted to be ready. When Marissa met her and showed her the book, Shannon Hale signed it! It is one of Marissa's most prized possessions, even with a little wear and tear.
Marissa still reads constantly, most often at night before bed. Earning her Master's degree in 2024, she is currently a Mental Health Clinician (a.k.a. therapist) in Alaska and absolutely loves what she does.
Director
Alan was raised in Southern California and later settled in St. George, Utah. Blessed to a household filled with love and resilience, Alan's upbringing was marked by the inspiring example of his father, who courageously battled cancer and the rare Maffucci Syndrome. Despite the challenges, Alan's father demonstrated unwavering perseverance and resilience, which left a lasting impact on Alan's outlook on life.
Growing up, Alan cherished moments spent with his father, particularly the times they shared reading books together during hospital stays. Witnessing his father's passion for learning and studying ignited a flame within Alan, inspiring him to carry on his father's legacy of enthusiasm and joy for life.
Today, Alan endeavors to honor his father's memory by embodying his love for knowledge and spreading positivity wherever he goes. As he navigates through life's challenges, Alan draws strength from the lessons imparted by his father, striving to make each day meaningful and impactful and to share this strength with others around him.
Director
A native of Southern Utah, Jacey is a passionate advocate for children's literacy. Born and raised amidst the vibrant communities of Washington County, she understands firsthand the transformative power of reading in a child’s life. From a young age, Jacey recognized the importance of literacy, especially in shaping young minds. Her love for storytelling was ignited early on, especially through her favorite series, Lord of the Rings (which she won’t stop talking about if you get her on the subject), and she vividly remembers spending countless hours reading to her younger sister, instilling in her a love for storytelling and imagination. These early experiences sparked a passion within Jacey, inspiring her to pursue a career that would allow her to contribute to the world of children’s literature.
Driven by her passion, Jacey earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Dixie State University, specializing in Studio Arts. There, she honed her skills as a visual storyteller, now creating captivating pieces through different mediums that bring stories to life.
Continuing her journey, Jacey is currently pursuing certification in Disney Character Design, aiming to enhance her artistic abilities and create enchanting worlds and memorable characters that resonate with young readers.
Alongside her artistic pursuits, she is dedicated to giving back to her community. Jacey strongly believes that every child deserves easy access to books and the opportunity to discover the joy of reading, which is why she is actively involved with Read it Out Loud. She is excited to be part of a mission that focuses on improving childhood literacy in Washington County. With her creativity, passion for storytelling, and dedication to children's literacy, Jacey is eager to contribute to Read it Out Loud's goals and make a meaningful impact on young readers' lives.
Director
As a child, Leslie often enjoyed curling up with a book and being transported into an adventure. Raising three children on her own, she instilled her love of reading in each of them by filling the house with books, frequently reading aloud, and playing audiobooks each time they took a road trip… which was never often enough to satisfy her gypsy spirit. This love of reading has been passed along to her grandchildren.
After working for a number of years in daycares, preschools, and Headstart programs, Leslie decided to pursue her lifelong desire of becoming a teacher. In 1996, Leslie moved from northern Utah to southern Utah, where she earned a bachelor's degree with a double major in elementary and special education. She has worked as a mild-moderate special educator at Hurricane High School for the past 25 years. During those years, she has pursued further learning, earning a reading endorsement, a master's degree, and administrative licensing.
Leslie has always found joy in working with the struggling or challenging child. Watching an individual realize that he/she can accomplish difficult tasks and seeing the sense of achievement and empowerment has brought her satisfaction and joy over the years. Leslie is excited to assist this organization in empowering children with opportunities and exposure to books and reading.
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