¡Hola! - Léeme un Libro
Bringing joy to sheltered children through storytelling.
Léeme un Libro (Read Me a Book) is an online, volunteer-led, Spanish/English storybook read-along initiative aimed at overcoming language and literacy barriers that exist for the migrant children being sheltered at the Long Beach HHS (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) site.
Thank you for your interest, but we no longer need volunteer readers for the summer. Please check back for our Fall 2021 Reading Initiative!
Have you attended one of the virtual volunteer meetings for dual-immersion students helping us create test videos? If so, you can sign into the reader volunteer portal here.
About Léeme un Libro
This program was born out of a philanthropic, charity-minded idea that local business owners and moms, Andrea Hershfield and Terri Spencer, dreamed up at the end of April, 2021 after hearing of the migrant children being sheltered in Long Beach. In just a month’s time we were able to develop the password-protected storybook website, enlist the help of volunteer readers from our local LBUSD dual-immersion schools, build relationships with local leaders and organizations, and most importantly…
WE RECEIVED APPROVAL TO BE AN ONSITE HHS ACTIVITY FOR THE CHILDREN!
We know many of you want to volunteer to read or want to learn how else you can help. We are currently building out our Fall 2021 volunteer options and programs. - Stay Tuned!
In the meantime, the best way to help is by following us on Instagram and spreading the word about Léeme un Libro with your neighbors and friends. When the time comes to do more… we’ll be sure to let you know!
Many Thanks – Andrea & Terri
Why Léeme un Libro?
(Read Me a Book)
When we first heard about the HHS site at the Convention Center and the number of children who would be temporarily sheltered, like many others we jumped to action for book collections and letter writing.
But, as the donations progressed, we realized a few things:
Many of the books that were being donated were in English
Many of the children being sheltered have little education and could be facing both language and literacy barriers to enjoying the book donations
The Spanish Dual Immersion students, teachers and community are in the unique position to use their bilingual skills to help overcome some of these obstacles.
It was then that Andrea Hershfield and Terri Spencer came up with the philanthropic, charity-minded idea to video record narrated books, in Spanish and English, onto a secure, online, video platform for the children to be able to watch during academic instruction time or individual recreation time.
Thousands of books have been donated so far. Léeme un Libro is the tool that brings these books to life by using volunteer readers to narrate the stories aloud. It allows personal, peer-to-peer interaction and creates an opportunity for one-on-one attention. This in turn can help meet some of the social/emotional needs that exist for the sheltered children.
We are so thrilled to receive the news that this program has been approved by HHS and we are now working to get it in their hands as soon as possible! Additionally, we know many of you want to help and we are coordinating what volunteer work is needed. On behalf of Léeme un Libro thank you for your support and we will continue to share our progress along the way!
Gracias por su apoyo y buenos deseos.
Thank you for your support and well wishes.
Andrea Hershfield & Terri Spencer
Photography by Miranda Hayek