Budding Readers has ongoing partnerships with a variety of local and community programs. It does take a village to raise a child and Budding Readers is proud to be part of the “village”. Budding Readers, and the organizations we partner with, work together to improve the current life and future outcomes for the children we serve.

Budding Readers has always felt that we can do more together. The books we gift to children in our partner organizations are given to children we would otherwise not have access to. Likewise, our partner programs have been able to enhance their offerings by providing free books to the children they serve.

These partnerships include:

  1. Working relationships with local libraries in the eight Ontario County communities we serve. You will find their library hours on their respective community pages.
  2. Working relationships with the school districts in the eight communities we serve, especially at the UPK, Kindergarten and First Grade levels. Budding Readers has given a new book to each UPK and Kindergarten child since 2013. The frequency was increased in 2020. First Grade was added in 2023.
  3. The Family Visiting Area of Attica Correctional Facility became a partner in 2023 when we proudly provided books for children visiting family members at the Correctional Facility. Children are permitted to take them home if they desire.
  4. Budding Readers has been attending childbirth classes since 2012 and gifting a free bundle of books to each expectant family. The relationship began with F. F. Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua when they offered in-person birthing classes. That ended with COVID and no hospitals have returned to in-person classes. Fortunately, Ontario County Public Health has stepped in and is now offering in-person classes, which we are thrilled to be a part of.
  5. Our relationship with Family Promise – Ontario County began in 2018. The Family Promise program works with homeless families helping them to secure employment and independent housing. Budding Readers provides a “bundle of books” for each child from birth to age 11 when the family “graduates” from the program and is in their own independent housing.
  6. Flower City School 54 in Rochester has been a partner since 2021 receiving books from Budding Readers to promote classroom success. In 2023 we voted to “adopt” the school and treat it as we treat our Ontario County schools, meaning to provide free books for the children to take home at least once each year.
  7. A relationship with Healthy Families – Ontario, Yates, and Seneca County began in 2018. The Healthy Families program (part of Child & Family Resources) works with high-risk families to improve outcomes for the children. They work with families from birth using weekly home visits to teach positive parenting and interaction with their babies. Budding Readers provides books for families; the home educators do a wonderful job of teaching parents how to read with their babies.
  8. Keeping Our Promise is a comprehensive resettlement program based in Rochester, NY. It serves Afghan, Iraqi and Kurdish translators and other war support personnel who have fled those countries and settled in the U.S. Budding Readers has partnered with them since 2023 to provide books for the children learning English and to promote academic success.
  9. The relationship with the Kiwanis Club of Canandaigua began in 2023 when we supported their literacy initiative with books that were made available to children and families around Canandaigua. In addition, Budding Readers provides books for their annual Christmas party for needy children in Canandaigua.
  10. The relationship with the Kiwanis Club of Farmington-Victor began in 2018 when we first provided books for the needy children for whom they provide an annual Christmas party. We have continued in that role ever since.
  11. The Rotary Club of Naples, NY has been a partner for a number of years. They run the Operation Santa Program for needy families at Christmas time, with Budding Readers providing books for the children. Budding Readers also provides books for UPK an Kindergarten children that are gifted by the Rotary at Christmas.
  12. Our relationship with Saint’s Place began in 2022. They provide household goods, clothing, and educational assistance to legal refugees of all races and creeds who settle in the Rochester, NY area. Budding Readers proudly provides 1,000 books annually to assist both adults and children with learning English.
  13. Our oldest and largest partner program was with the Finger Lakes WIC (Women, Infants & Children) Office in Canandaigua. In-person appointments stopped when COVID hit and have not resumed. NYS WIC is re-evaluating their service model and are operating remotely while they determine what role in-person appointments will play. This was our largest and most long-standing partnership, beginning in 2010. Over 27, 000 books have been gifted to WIC children.
  14. Budding Readers has successfully partnered with a number of food pantries in our communities that can now provide children’s books when parents come in to get food.
  15. Likewise, we have been successful providing books to a number of dental and doctor’s offices who are happy to provide a book to a child as a treat for stopping by.