United Through Reading

United Through Reading – Connecting Military Families About – United Through Reading About Our Impact Our Team Press Hub Recognitions Financials Our Program The Benefits Get Started Book List Book for the Military Child Resources Upcoming Events Community Partners FAQs Support Our Work Ways to Give Funding Partners Volunteer Ways to Volunteer Sign Up Now Volunteer Resources Site Coordinator Resources login Donate About United Through Reading Connecting service members and their families through shared stories. A National Nonprofit With a Big Passion for Connecting Military Families Through Shared Stories Our Mission United Through Reading strengthens military families’ emotional bonds, literacy, and well-being through the power of reading together at every age, no matter the distance. Our Vision A nation of thriving military families whose strength is amplified by a shared love for reading. Keeping Military Families Connected Through Storytime Deployments and separations are a reality for military families. Every year, more than 100,000 military parents deploy, leaving nearly 250,000 children at home. That means millions of missed bedtime stories—and countless moments of connection—each year. At United Through Reading , we make it possible for service members to stay close to their loved ones, no matter the distance. Through our free program and user-friendly App , service members can record themselves reading a storybook aloud. Children can then watch the video anytime, anywhere, and as often as they like, with their own copy of the same book in hand. When children hear their loved ones’ voice and see their face, it brings comfort, reduces stress and anxiety, and helps them feel connected—even while they are apart. Building Stronger Readers and Stronger Bonds Storytime isn’t just comforting, it’s developmental. Reading aloud expands a child’s literacy skills, vocabulary, and imagination . A National Academies of Sciences study shows that shared reading experiences also support emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and social growth . For service members, storytime recordings help maintain close emotional bonds, ease feelings of loneliness, and make it easier to reintegrate into family life after deployment. Free for All Military Families United Through Reading is proud to serve all branches of the military , including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, and Veterans . Every story recorded helps bridge the distan