About Us

Read To Me International Foundation dba Read To Me International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in March 1996 as a result of a partnership created by the Governor’s Council for Literacy and Lifelong Learning and the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunrise. The Governor’s Council comprised leading members from the business, labor, education, faith-based and community sectors. From 1992-1994 the Council and Rotary embarked on a successful multi-media campaign called “Read To Me,” which resulted in a statewide campaign underscoring the importance of reading aloud. Its message was simple: “Every child in Hawaii will be read to every day for ten minutes.”

As a result of the media efforts, inspired in large part by the teachings of Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook, a round table was formed which facilitated and promoted reading activities statewide, including the production of a video establishing the why’s and how-to’s of reading aloud; the establishment of read-aloud programs in schools and businesses; presentations in schools, churches, and local communities; refurbishment of libraries; and book donations to schools, organizations, and libraries. Through the support of various partners, with Hawaii Pizza Hut serving as a major sponsor, a number of activities and projects were undertaken.

The program proved to be successful, the multi-media campaign having been adopted in over a dozen states, plus Canada and Malaysia. Since Read To Me International’s inception, the organization has evolved to focus on equipping and coaching parents to be their children’s first teachers in life through reading aloud together. The organization serves an average of 10,500 people each year through its parent-coaching programs, annual national-quality conference, workshops, and community events.

Families Reading Together Programs and Activities

RTM10 (“Read To Me 10 Minutes A Day”): A six-session parent/caregiver coaching program offered to families statewide to encourage family reading time together each day. Co-facilitators provide parents with reading strategies and resources to practice in class, then apply it with their children at home and school.

RTM10 Alumni Events: RTM10 program graduates and their families are invited to literacy-related activities throughout the year that addresses children’s academic, social, and emotional needs and social opportunities for children to play and learn together.

Family Engagement Events: Read To Me International Foundation hosts virutal Family Literacy Nights monthly and in-person events statewide. Each event includes a book for families to take home, fun reading activities to do together as a family, and a good time sharing the love and joy of reading aloud.

Kūpuna Keiki Pen-Pal Program: A letter exchange program involving kupuna and keiki. The pen-pal program provides kupuna with volunteer opportunities throughout the year and children are provided additional opportunities to develop skills, like addressing an envelope and writing.

Ted Sakai Hoʻāla Reading Program (formerly known as Read, Revive, Restore): A parent-coaching program for residents of State community correctional facilities to read and audio-record age-appropriate books for their children or keiki in their lives. Incarcerated parents record reading aloud a child’s storybook and send both the book and audio recording to their children.