Drexel University Institutional Advancement

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to help support Reach Out & Read! On October 29th, Reach Out & Read, with the help of physicians at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, will be hosting its 9th annual Reach Out & Read basketball tournament.

Reach Out and Read is the most evidence-based, cost-effective, and enjoyable way to address the huge problem of illiteracy in our North Philadelphia community. Philadelphia is also the poorest major city in the US, with the highest rate of deep poverty, much of which is concentrated in North Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, 46% of children are not prepared with the skills they need to start kindergarten. When children do not have any books or anyone reading to them, they enter school, lagging in vocabulary, language, reading, and listening skills. Research shows that it is almost impossible to catch up. Failure and dropout rates are much higher for these kids, continuing the cycle of poverty into the next generation. These gaps in literacy became even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic. We must continue to address them whether they are at home or in school.

For these children to succeed in school, research shows that their literacy must be improved by first grade. Reading and being read to during the preschool years, especially during the crucial first 1,000 days, promotes healthy brain development; improves vocabulary, language, and listening skills; stimulates the imagination; helps children cope with stress; and strengthens family bonds—all of which narrows the achievement gap across ethnic and economic lines. Pediatricians have unparalleled access to families with children, and they can have a huge impact when they “prescribe” reading aloud and hand over a brand-new book at every well-child visit from birth to five years. Reach Out and Read is simple, effective, and fun. The American Academy of Pediatrics has called the program “an essential component of pediatric primary care.”

We started this basketball tournament fundraiser in 2014 in an inspired moment of work/life balance to combine our shared passions for literacy and basketball. Since then, we have raised almost $500,000 and purchased more than 180,000 books. We are thrilled that so many of you have joined us to raise money for a great cause, making new friends and connections while playing our favorite game. We are also deeply grateful to Germantown Friends School for giving us the use of their gyms and campus for our event. Last year’s tournament (2021) was our biggest ever! We raised over $140,000, which enabled us to purchase more than 50,000 new books. There were over 200 individual donors and sponsors that helped us reach our goal. During the pandemic, we began partnering with Harriett’s Bookshop to purchase books that reflect our families’ lived experiences. We just celebrated our 20th Anniversary of Reach Out and Read last year and hope to raise $150,000 to support these critical programs.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Hans Kersten

Dr. Dan Taylor

or visit https://reachoutandreadbasketball.wordpress.com