Reading is Fundamental

RIF is a national charity that has a local branch here in Columbia. As we explore options and solutions to the poor achieving school systems here in South Carolina it is important to look at local initiatives that have already been taken.

RIF stands for Reading is Fundamental and serves to “motivate young children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life.” This service is concentrated on underprivileged children up to age eight and teaching them basic reading skills. RIF is a volunteer service; volunteers from around the nation spend time in lower income school districts, community centers and after school programs distributing books, staging reading motivation activities and promoting the importance of literacy in their communities.

With reading, and enjoying reading as the center of this program, RIF promotes literacy and basic reading skills. RIF acknowledges the importance of underprivileged children gaining basic reading skills and helps lay the educational groundwork that their parents and the school systems may overlook.

Supporters of RIF nationally include an impressive list of donors such as Macy’s, Nestle, US Airways and even the Department of Education. Locally there are many organizations involved including Richland County school district and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.