Reach Out and Read Midwest
Reach Out and Read Midwest

We envision a world where all parents have daily, meaningful, language-rich interactions with their children.

Connection before intervention. That's the difference.

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Connection before intervention.
That’s the difference.

Reach Out and Read Midwest meets families during trusted pediatric visits — helping children arrive at school healthy, confident, and ready to learn.

What this means for Nebraska and Iowa:

      • More families reading together
      • Stronger early language development
      • Equitable statewide reach across ZIP codes and income levels
      • Greater emotional resilience and parent-child connection
      • Stronger clinician-family relationships

Every story shared today builds a stronger tomorrow.

Why Are We Different
Every visit, every book, every shared story helps build Midwest's future.
> See the evidence
83,717
young children served
167,434
well-child visits
125,710
books distributed
WHO WE ARE

Reach Out and Read Midwest brings books, guidance, and connection into pediatric care — helping families build strong relationships and early learning from the very start.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Midwest’s youngest children can’t wait.

 

      1. The first five years shape brain development, language, and lifelong health.
      2. Only 42.3% of parents read to their babies daily.
      3. 51% of third graders are below basic reading level.
      4. Without early support, small gaps become lasting barriers.

Early literacy isn’t a luxury — it’s a lifeline.

“This program helps to bring a positive light to education and certainly helps to bring pleasure to a visit that at times can be frightening if vaccines are involved.”

– Erica Tubbs, PA-C, Greater Sandhills Family Healthcare, Nebraska

Get Involved

Donate
Help place books in children’s hands and guidance in families’ homes.
> DONATE NOW
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Be part of the human connection at the center of our work. Join our mailing list.
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Partner With Us
Join health care providers and organizations building stronger communities.
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HOW IT WORKS

Books + bonding = brighter futures

From infancy to age 5:

  • Guided by clinicians

    Parents receive coaching on language, bonding, and brain development.

  • Books at every well-child visit

    Every child receives a free, developmentally appropriate book.

  • Reading together at home

    Families build habits that strengthen connection and early learning.

Simple. Evidence-based. Transformative.

OUR PARTNERS
  • Buffett Early Childhood Fund
  • Nebraska Children and Families Foundation/Nebraska Growing Readers Initiative
  • Lozier Foundation
  • Nebraska Partnership for Mental Healthcare Access In Pediatrics (NEP-MAP) supported through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health
  • Better World Books
  • Nomi Health
  • Otto Schoitz Foundation
  • Bechtel Trusts
    • MEET THE TEAM
    Laura Holms

    Founding Executive Director
    Contact Laura Holms

    Laura Holms, Founding Executive Director of Reach Out and Read Midwest, has spent over 25 years shaping nonprofit organizations and creating programs that transform the lives of children and families. From leading fundraising and development initiatives at Catholic Charities and Iowa Health Foundation to directing programs at Amanda the Panda Grief and Loss Center, Best Buddies Iowa, and Urbandale Community Action Network, Laura has consistently focused on expanding opportunities for underserved communities, supporting immigrant and refugee youth, and ensuring children have the resources they need to thrive.

    Her passion for building strong, inclusive communities and her deep commitment to literacy made her the natural choice to lead Reach Out and Read Midwest. With a career rooted in impact-driven leadership and community empowerment, Laura brings both vision and hands-on experience to the role, ensuring that every child in the region has access to the books, support, and meaningful connections that lay the foundation for lifelong learning.

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    Kristin Christensen

    Nebraska Program Manager
    Contact Kristin Christensen

    Kristin is a Nebraska native and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, both in education. Kristin taught Special Education and Academic Intervention at the elementary level in public schools for nine years. She has a deep passion for increasing literacy skills in the foundational years of kids’ lives to set them up for success.  

    Kristin also has a background in nonprofit and worked for a local advocacy organization that seeks to protect educators, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and elected officials from harassment. Kristin is excited to have joined the ROR team and leapt at the opportunity to continue to build up a network of family and literacy support in Nebraska among healthcare sites! 

    Kristin’s primary role as Program Manager is to directly support sites with implementation of the Reach Out and Read program, through frequent contact with site coordinators, visits with clinic staff, and collaboration between sites and community resources. Kristin also offers supports and assistance with clinics interested in beginning a Reach Out and Read program at their site.

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    Rebecca Nyangufi, MPH

    Iowa Program Manager

    Rebecca Nyangufi, MPH, leads as the Iowa Program Manager for Reach Out and Read Midwest, bringing a wealth of experience in program development and community impact. She has managed initiatives such as New Day’s partnership with the Arlington School District in Texas, providing food bags to students facing food insecurity, and has strengthened maternal health programs at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), enhancing comprehensive women’s health services, improving program quality, and expanding access for families.

    With a deep commitment to maternal and child health, Rebecca is dedicated to advancing health equity, supporting families holistically, and building programs that empower children and parents to thrive. Her leadership ensures that Reach Out and Read’s mission of fostering early literacy and healthy development reaches communities effectively and sustainably.

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    Maria Gorham

    Iowa Program Manager

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    Laura Holms

    Founding Executive Director
    Contact Laura Holms

    Kristin Christensen

    Nebraska Program Manager
    Contact Kristin Christensen

    Rebecca Nyangufi, MPH

    Iowa Program Manager

    Maria Gorham

    Iowa Program Manager

    Reach Out and Read Midwest Advisory Committee

    The Advisory Committee is responsible for guiding and championing the work for Reach Out and Read Midwest across Iowa and Nebraska. Advisory Committee members provide strategic thought partnership, support brand building, lend their professional expertise and network, and help build relationships with major donors and private and public institutional funders. Below are the members of Reach Out and Read Midwest’s Advisory Committee.

  • Eric Buchanan, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Buffett Early Childhood Fund

  • Betty Medinger, Retired Senior Vice President, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation

  • Stephanni Renn, Vice President of Sixpence / Early Childhood, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation

  • Jessica Seberger, NEP MAP Program Director, Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services

  • Susan Toohey, Director of Educational Initiatives, Lozier Foundation

    • One book. One moment.
    One child at a time — changing the future of the Midwest.

    JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
    © 2026
    Reach Out and Read is 501(c)3 nonprofit that gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.
     

    Physical address:
    Reach Out and Read
    308 Congress St., 6th Floor
    Boston, MA 02210

    Mailing address:
    Reach Out and Read
    P.O. Box 411868
    Boston, MA 02241

    info@reachoutandread.org
    Phone: (617) 455-0600

    Reach Out and Read Midwest

    Mailing Addresses:
  • 215 Centennial Mall S #200, Lincoln, NE 68508
  • 2610 Harney Street, Omaha, NE, 68131

    Kristin Christensen
    Nebraska Program Manager
    Contact Kristin Christensen

    midwest@reachoutandread.org
    • Charity Navigator 4 Star Charity Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency Excellence in Giving Certified Transparent

    Join Our Community

    Physical address:
    Reach Out and Read
    308 Congress St., 6th Floor
    Boston, MA 02210

    Mailing address:
    Reach Out and Read
    P.O. Box 411868
    Boston, MA 02241

    info@reachoutandread.org
    Phone: (617) 455-0600

    Reach Out and Read Midwest

    Mailing Addresses:
  • 215 Centennial Mall S #200, Lincoln, NE 68508
  • 2610 Harney Street, Omaha, NE, 68131

    Kristin Christensen
    Nebraska Program Manager
    Contact Kristin Christensen

    midwest@reachoutandread.org
    • © 2026
    Reach Out and Read is 501(c)3 nonprofit that gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.
    Charity Navigator 4 Star Charity Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency Excellence in Giving Certified Transparent

    Join Our Community