Low literacy is a national, regional, and local crisis. It affects children not only in the classroom but also throughout their future lives. Academic, social, and civic success depend on literacy. The earlier we can intervene, the greater the impact we can have. And it starts with reading, the very foundation of all future literacy. For Rowan Childs, who spent her childhood on the move because of the relocations required by her father’s career, reading was a lifeline. She later recognized the link between reading literacy and poverty, and established the nonprofit Madison Reading Project. With the Big Red Reading Bus, the Books for Educators program, and the events to provide books directly to children, Madison Reading Project has worked to foster literacy in Dane County and the rest of Wisconsin. Since 2014, the organization has provided over 300,000 books to nearly 200,000 kids. Join us as Rowan shares the services and achievements of this organization. You’ll also be able to sign up to visit Madison Reading Project’s operation.

The cities of Fitchburg and Madison recently absorbed the town of Madison. As a result, Badger Rock is now a neighborhood center, urban farm, and community gardens across the street from Fitchburg. As a project of the nonprofit organization Rooted, Badger Rock is committed to increasing equitable access to land, fresh food, and learning opportunities. Hedi Rudd, the Deputy Director of South Madison Programs and Director of the Badger Rock Neighborhood Center, will introduce us to their diversity and inclusion work in community outreach, the educational programs about urban agriculture and cuisine, the multigenerational activities, and the community market. Through her impressive background in community organizing and photography, Hedi will provide a unique lens on these diverse topics.

A lightning strike behind Barry Callen knocked him 40 feet through the air, and he lived to tell the tale. “It gave me the best excuse ever to quit jogging,” he said. In the years that followed, some of his friends and neighbors were not so lucky. When Barry says, “I’m glad to be here,” he’s not kidding! Hear three true tales of actual lightning strikes. Barry is owner of Corprov, a corporate improv training company, and former Executive Creative Director and Vice President of Hiebing, an integrated marketing consultancy.