United Way Rock River Valley and Crusader Community Health have expanded Reach Out & Read to all Winnebago County-based Crusader clinics — a milestone that puts free, age-appropriate books in the hands of children from infancy through age five at every routine well-child visit.
Since launching the program in late 2024, United Way Rock River Valley has helped distribute 18,352 books across 19 medical clinics in Winnebago County. Reach Out & Read is now active at Crusader's Alpine, Broadway, Loves Park, Belvidere, and West State clinic locations. The new Linden location, on track to open this summer, will soon join the program as well.
What is Reach Out & Read
Reach Out & Read is an evidence-based program that integrates early literacy into pediatric care — a model highlighted in 2024 when Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker celebrated the program's statewide expansion, calling books "vaccines against illiteracy" and citing research showing participating children typically reach average or above-average literacy by the end of kindergarten. Rockford-area coverage of that announcement helped put a local spotlight on the program's growth here in Winnebago County.
"Access to books in the earliest years can be a turning point for families," said Jessica Iasparro, MSW, Director of Community Impact at United Way Rock River Valley. "Through this partnership, we're strengthening everyday moments between caregivers and children and reinforcing that literacy begins long before a child enters a classroom."
How it works
During routine well-child checkups, pediatric providers give each child a developmentally appropriate book and guidance on building a daily reading routine at home. Books are ordered through United Way Rock River Valley and delivered monthly to ensure consistent supply across all participating sites. The medical setting is intentional — trusted providers are uniquely positioned to reach families early and often.
Beyond Crusader, the program is expanding to UW Health, Mercy Health, and OSF St. Anthony Medical Center — broadening access to early literacy support across the Rock River Valley region.
"This milestone reflects what's possible when health care and community partners work together with a shared goal," said Julie Bosma, CEO and Executive Director of United Way Rock River Valley. "By bringing Reach Out & Read to every Crusader site, we're meeting families where they are and helping ensure more children in our region start life with the building blocks for learning and success."
About United Way Rock River Valley
United Way Rock River Valley mobilizes the caring power of the community to improve lives across the region, with a focus on helping children thrive, families stabilize, and communities grow stronger. unitedwayrrv.org
About Crusader Community Health
Crusader Community Health provides northern Illinois with comprehensive, affordable, and accessible medical, dental, and behavioral health care for anyone in need. crusaderhealth.org
About Reach Out & Read Illinois
Reach Out & Read Illinois partners with medical providers to make early literacy a standard part of pediatric care — supporting school readiness, language development, and stronger caregiver-child bonds. reachoutandreadil.org