Ages 0–5Family Literacy
Weekly sessions turn caregivers into confident first teachers — with bilingual books and read-aloud strategies that stay long after the program ends.
Read a family's story →Inspiring readers, together.
Every child deserves the opportunity to become a reader.
For 26 years, Words Alive has brought books, volunteers, and belief to San Diego's children, teens, and families — because a reader's story is never really finished.
Family Literacy — caregivers and children reading together
Read Aloud — students diving into their books together
Book Group — young readers celebrating a shared story
Before Book Group, I didn't think my story mattered. Now I write it down.
— A Words Alive scholar, Adolescent Book Group
Meet the programs that walk with a reader
From a first board book to a senior year reading list — three programs, one continuous story.
Ages 0–5
PreK–Grade 3Read Aloud
A trained volunteer becomes a weekly reading role model — and every giveaway book becomes one more book on a child's own shelf at home.
Meet a volunteer →
TeensBook Group
Teens choose the books. Then they write, discuss, and create — turning reading into a way to be heard.
Hear from a scholar →Read the next chapter with us
1,000+ volunteers power our programs every year. No teaching background required — just an hour a week and a willingness to show up.
Find Your Role →Your gift writes the next story
6,392 children, teens, and families had a program like this in their life last year. Your gift helps that number keep growing.
Give Today →
2023 PGA TOUR National Charity of the Year
Serving San Diego County since 1999
1,000+ volunteers a year
20,000+ books distributed annually
Be part of the next chapter.
Whether you give, volunteer, or partner with us — you become part of someone's reading story.