Support a New Way of Reading

Print books. E-books. Audio Books. Books in Braille. Picture Books.

There are so many different kinds of books out there--different ways of reading--for people with strong personal preferences, or even medical or developmental requirements. Sometimes different formats are even combined to help new readers--both young and not-so-young--learn to read more effectively and efficiently...or to read at all.

Learning Ally is one such non-profit organization that focuses on the latter. As "the leading provider of audiobooks – including the world’s largest library of audio textbooks," the organization supports not only the products needed for a person with a reading or learning disability but also "a community of support" for parents, teachers, certifiers, and more Their mission? 

To promote personal achievement when access and reading are barriers to learning by advancing the use of accessible and effective educational solutions. (Learning Ally, About Us, Mission)  

And with recording studios in over ten cities in the US the organization does its best to create as many audio books as possible for distribution around the country. But they can't do it alone. In fact, in addition to their awesome volunteers--including my dear friend Rebecca--they host an annual "Record-A-Thon" to raise funds to continue their work. This year's fundraiser? Happening NOW. 

So, dig into your pocket just a little, if you so desire, and lend a hand to help keep this admirable organization afloat. You can even donate to the NYC studio where Rebecca volunteers tirelessly by clicking HERE.

"WRRRROCK ON" 2010

My friend Rebecca just brought my attention to a great upcoming NYC event for those interested in helping to fight illiteracy--"WRRRROCK ON" 2010.

Girls Write Now is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 by a group of young female writers. Their mission is to "provide guidance, support, and opportunities for New York City's underserved or at-risk high school girls, enabling them to develop their creative, independent voices, explore careers in professional writing, and learn how to make healthy choices in school, career, and life" (girlswritenow.org).

So far it's been a successful goal. They have "empowered nearly 6,000 women writers, including nearly 3,000 underserved or at-risk girls from New York City’s public high schools" (girlswritenow.org) and the college-acceptance rate within the organization is 100 percent.

With volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, girls are able to interact and be mentored by women "who stand as shining, real-life examples to our girls of exactly who you can be as a woman, as a writer, and as a professional" (girlswritenow.org). But as a non-profit, this one-of-a-kind organization needs our help.

Two Dollar Radio, with the support of several NYC small presses, will be holding a donation-only concert on May 25th in Brooklyn, NY to benefit the Girls Write Now cause:

Two Dollar Radio [...] announced "Wrrrock On," an evening to benefit Girls Write Now happening Tuesday, May 25th at Galapagos Art Space, located at 16 Main Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn, from 7-9PM. Admission is a suggested donation of $2-22 at the door, with 100% of those proceeds going directly to Girls Write Now. Japanther and Care Bears on Fire will perform, and [bestselling author] Joshua Mohr will emcee the event. "Wrrrrock On" is made possible by the support of Chin Music Press, Coffee House Press, Exterminating Angel Press, Featherproof Books, Seven Stories Press, Small Beer Press, Tin House and Unbridled Books.

Click HERE to see more info about the benefit and about the scheduled performers