In October 2010, Budding Readers formed a partnership with the Finger Lakes WIC (Women, Infants & Children) Program in Canandaigua, NY. Budding Readers volunteers participate at five WIC clinics each month in Canandaigua, where they give out books, chat with parents about the importance of reading daily with their children, and model reading techniques for parents.

WIC’s goal is to improve the health and nutrition of moms and kids (pre-birth to age 5). WIC is a New York State Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children which provides breastfeeding support, nutrition counseling, health education, health care referrals, referrals to other services, and nutritious foods. The fundamental purpose of the program is to ensure the health and well-being of income eligible families with young children.

Budding Readers offers a new book to each child and reading tips for parents every time they come to an appointment at the Canandaigua WIC office. We are pleased to be part of the services offered at the Canandaigua WIC office to help promote healthy outcomes for the children they serve.

The strength of the WIC partnership is that it allows Budding Readers to have a 5-year connection to low-income, rural and semi-rural families before their children enter kindergarten. It allows our volunteers to have face-to-face conversations with parents, along with providing ongoing access to new books for their children.

Over 27,000 new books along with our Parent Guide of tips for reading to babies and young children have been given to WIC families. The towns with the greatest number of participants are Bloomfield, Canandaigua, Clifton Springs, Farmington, Geneva, Honeoye, Manchester, Naples, Phelps, Rushville, Shortsville, and Victor.

Early grants from the F. F. Thompson Foundation, the Wegman Foundation, and the Wilson Foundation helped to get the program off to a strong start.

Want More Information About the WIC Partnership?
Contact: Tam Spitzer
Email: wic@buddingreaders.org
Phone: (585) 900 -1725

“A book is a gift you can open again and again.”

-Garrison Keillor