Fantasia Teams Up With RIF to Promote Literacy!

Broadway star Fantasia Barrino has teamed up with Reading Is Fundamental or RIF, the nation's oldest and largest children and families' literacy nonprofit organization, to promote Read for Change, a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of children's literacy. The campaign challenges all adults to read with young children at home and in their communities. This effort is part of United We Serve, a national initiative launched by President Obama to engage more Americans in volunteer service this summer.

"As a mother, I know the important role books play in helping my daughter learn how to read, but there are millions of children in the United States who don't have access to books. We all need to do our part to share the love of reading with all children," said Barrino in the release.

Literacy efforts, such as the Read for Change campaign, help draw attention to the benefits of reading to young children. Several studies show that reading with children on a regular basis helps instill a love for books and significantly expands their knowledge and vocabulary — all critical factors for academic success.

"One of the greatest services we can provide our communities is to ensure that all children obtain access to books and discover the joy and value of reading," said RIF president and CEO, Carol H. Rasco in a statement.

Read for Change campaign challenges Americans to collectively log 3 million minutes of reading with children by Sept. 11, 2009. Participants can log their time at www.RIF.org/readforchange. At the end of the campaign, five participants will be selected by random drawing to receive a children's book collection, as well as the opportunity to select a school in their community to receive a book collection.

"By helping support Reading Is Fundamental and the Read for Change campaign, you can provide reading resources to children in your area who are most in need and help them to achieve in school and in life," added Barrino.