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History and Affiliation with Raising A Reader National

RAR Bay Area is an affiliate of RAR-National (RAR-N), which delivers the program through affiliates in 2,500 locations in the U.S. The National organization was founded in 1999 at the Center for Venture Philanthropy in San Mateo. The local program was launched and incubated in 2003 by United Way of the Bay Area. The program incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2009, having grown almost ten-fold in six short years.

RAR-N provides the license to implement the core program model, which includes the book bag rotation program, train-the-trainer educator orientation, and tools and materials for introducing the program to parents. RAR-N also sources books and materials for local affiliates and provides basic professional development and branding support. RAR affiliates are required to purchase program materials through RAR-N.

Locally, RAR achieves impact through a strong partnership model leveraging community investments in early education, literacy, and family support. In addition to the Core Model book rotation program, RAR San Francisco, Alameda & Contra Costa Counties provides ongoing site support visits in struggling communities, interactive read-aloud demonstrations, educator workshops as part of agency-based professional development, parent workshops as part of site-based family engagement, community based parent and educator workshops and community based literacy events.