St. Luke’s University Health Network will once again participate in Read Across America, continuing its long-standing commitment to promoting early literacy and a lifelong love of reading among children in the communities we serve. Volunteers will read to children at 20 partner schools throughout the community during Read Across America week, which begins on the birthday of author Dr. Seuss, Monday, March 2.
Read Across America is an annual nationwide celebration dedicated to the joy and importance of reading for children. The initiative encourages early literacy and language development, helps children build imagination, comprehension and critical thinking skills, creates positive and engaging experiences around books, and supports educators and families in fostering a lifelong love of reading.
St. Luke’s partners in promoting literacy throughout the year include the Carbon County Community Foundation, which has supported the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and the evidence-based Reach Out and Read Program. Additionally, St. Luke’s collaborates with Reach Out and Read at Star Community Health Sigal Center as well as the Cops ‘n’ Kids Program in the Lehigh Valley.
Cops ‘n’ Kids is a community-based program that brings the gift of reading to children while encouraging positive relationships between children and law enforcement officers. Through literacy-focused outreach and events, Cops ’N Kids places books directly into the hands of children and creates welcoming environments that support early learning, trust-building and community connection.
Temple/St. Luke’s School of Medicine students have been actively involved in this partnership, participating in Cops ‘n’ Kids events at the Reading Room, located within the Northampton Community College Fowler Family Southside Center, where they engage children through shared reading experiences. These efforts reflect St. Luke’s broader mission to address social determinants of health and support children and families beyond traditional clinical settings.
Beverly Bradley, President, Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program, said, “We have found that this program has been as meaningful for those on the ‘giving’ end as it is for those on the ‘receiving’ end of our efforts. Together, we have made a difference, and our hope is that we will continue to do so. We all believe that being able to provide the tools for our community’s children to be successful will impact their lives and our community for many years to come.”
Judith Dickerson, Director of Cops ‘n’ Kids of Easton, added, “Reading shapes how well people learn, work and stay healthy and keeps them learning on their own.”
