What began as one woman’s vision for separated military families has now benefited over one million people, both military and non-military families, through the power of reading aloud. As a young mother and the military wife of a flight surgeon deployed during the Vietnam War, founder Betty J. Mohlenbrock experienced the stress of family separation. When her husband returned from duty, their two-year-old daughter did not recognize him.
Betty was also a teacher and reading specialist who saw children enter her classroom unable to read and unprepared to learn. In 1989 Betty founded United Through Reading® based on the bold vision that military servicemen and women could stay connected with their families by reading aloud on video.
Since our founding in 1989, we are proud to report the following notable accomplishments:
- Beneficiaries: Over one million children, parents and other caring adults have participated.
- Volunteers: Volunteers have contributed more than 275,000 hours to our programs.
- Efficiency: Over 80% of funds go directly to our programs.
- Recognition: We have received the Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation, the Newman’s Own Award, the James Patterson’s PageTurner Award, San Diego Military Advisory Council Achievement Award, the Kaleidoscope Award for Exceptional Board Governance, and the Innovations in Reading Prize from the National Book Foundation.
- Outside Endorsement: We have held a four-star rating from Charity Navigator since 2006.
- 2008 Finalist, San Diego Better Business Bureau Torch Award
