Celebrating Impact: Reading to End Racism’s New Jean Gore Library

On August 27th, we kicked off the school year with 17 dedicated volunteers, staff, and community members celebrating the impact of Reading to end Racism (RER). This inter-generational literacy initiative engages first through fifth graders with powerful books and personal stories, sparking essential conversations on eliminating racism, bullying, and discrimination. RER also equips volunteers, teachers, and parents with the training and resources they need to have meaningful discussions with children about these critical issues.

The celebration fittingly took place at the YWCA in a dedicated space that is called the Jean Gore Library, named in memory of Jean Gore, a beloved RER co-founder and passionate advocate for equality and justice. The event was marked by a heartfelt speech from Steve Frankel, a volunteer reader and retired teacher, who honored Jean Gore's immense contributions and lasting legacy. His words underscored the profound impact one person can have in fostering a more inclusive society.

We are incredibly proud of our volunteers, some of whom have been with RER for over 14 years. Their commitment to step into elementary classrooms and advocate for a more inclusive environment for young students is truly inspiring.

We invite you to join this transformative journey. To learn how to be trained to become a volunteer or participate in future events, please contact Heidi Mallon at hmallon@ywcaboulder.org . Together, we can make a difference in the fight against racism and discrimination, one story at a time.