By Megan Larson-Freeman,
Grant Specialist, YMCA of Rock River Valley
At the YMCA of Rock River Valley, we believe reading can do more than teach literacy—it can support emotional growth and resilience for people of all ages. With the support of United Way of Rock River Valley through their United for Literacy initiative, we’re bringing social-emotional learning (SEL) to life through books, empowering families to connect, reflect, and heal together.
Literacy That Builds Emotional Strength
Thanks to a generous grant from United Way, we’ve grown our social-emotional learning (SEL) literacy work in exciting new ways, spreading stories and resources to help families connect, reflect, and thrive together. From joyful book giveaways to new community partnerships, we’re creating opportunities for kids and adults to better understand and manage their emotions.
One of our most popular book giveaways used the powerful metaphor of a volcano to explore big feelings. The story helped children recognize the “early rumbles” of emotions like anger and frustration, those subtle signs that things are starting to bubble up inside. With relatable characters and engaging storytelling, the book showed families how to spot those emotional tremors and take action before things erupt. Kids walked away not only loving the story, but also armed with real-life tools like deep breathing, naming their emotions, and finding calming activities to cool things down.
The Power of Quiet Moments
Our SEL literacy work isn’t just for kids. We encourage families to view independent reading as a tool for emotional regulation. Whether it’s a bedtime story for a child or a few quiet minutes for a busy parent, reading can offer comfort, perspective, and a sense of peace in the middle of life’s stressors.
Stronger Readers. Stronger Families.
We are grateful for United Way’s ongoing investment in our mission. Together, we’re not just promoting literacy—we’re supporting families and building emotionally resilient communities through the power of story.
Stay tuned for future book distributions, reading guides, and events that inspire both hearts and minds. Let’s keep reading, and healing, together.