Reach Out and Read at Frances Nelson History

If you have ever been to the back of Promise Healthcare – Frances Nelson, you have seen the bookcases filled with children's books. The books are part of the Reach Out and Read program maintained by three volunteers from Delta Kappa Gamma, an international organization of women educators.

Reach Out and Read (ROAR) is a national literacy program designed to promote early childhood literacy and language development. ROAR is the only national literacy model the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed. They recognize the influence of physicians and nurse practitioners in encouraging parental reading habits. ROAR provides new, age-appropriate books for Promise Healthcare physicians and nurse practitioners to give to young patients (birth to age five) during their wellness exams.

Frances Nelson Medical Center adopted the program in 2002, recognizing its benefits in fostering early literacy and parent-child engagement.

In 2014, the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) became aware of the program at Frances Nelson through Shirley Walker, a retired nurse and clinic volunteer.

Walker identified the need for financial support to purchase books for the clinic. Gloria Rainer, a Xi Chapter member, coordinated discussions between DKG and the France Nelson administration, leading to the Xi Chapter's Involvement.

In 2015, the Xi Chapter began financially supporting Frances Nelson's ROAR campaign by raising funds to purchase new books. Over time, the chapter's role has expanded to include program management.

The Xi Chapter Literacy Committee now manages the ROAR program at Frances Nelson. Rainer, Kathleen Smith, and Kathi Rowell are the committee members whose responsibilities include fundraising, book procurement, inventory management, and supplying books to our medical providers to implement the program.

Gloria Rainer earned an Elementary Education Degree at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Gloria's 35-year teaching career began in Madison, Wisconsin, and then in Roseville, Minnesota, before relocating to Champaign-Urbana. Gloria taught 2nd and 3rd at Martin Luther King School in Urbana and worked in a Multicultural-Multilingual School. She has worked as a literacy consultant since retiring, focusing on reading education. Gloria is passionate about literacy and believes reading comprehension is fundamental to lifelong success.

Kathleen Smith graduated in 1971 from Loyola University in New Orleans with a degree in Mathematics. She began teaching in Pennsylvania and taught in Tokyo and Holy Cross in Champaign. After returning to school for her teacher's certificate at the University of New Orleans, Kathleen taught for 25 years in Unit 4, including Champaign Central. She also has taught at the University of Illinois for 7 years. Kathleen was taught that you do good every day and you fight for social justice for life.

Kathi Rowell graduated with a degree in secondary speech communication from Wheaton College and obtained a master's degree as a reading specialist at the University of Illinois. She taught for 35 years in Mahomet and has worked with a non-profit reading group helping kids learn to read. Her goal has been to find books that kids would enjoy. She is delighted when children feel good about themselves when they begin to see themselves as readers.

The Photo on the News page shows Kathleen Smith, Kathi Rowell and Gloria Rainer