Reading Rooms
Reading Rooms create safe, welcoming spaces within courthouses for children navigating difficult legal proceedings — offering a moment of calm during an otherwise overwhelming experience.
Each space is designed to help children feel more at ease, providing comfort, distraction, and a sense of stability during uncertain moments.
For many children, time spent in court can be confusing and stressful. The Reading Rooms program transforms these environments into more welcoming and supportive spaces.
Children are invited to read, relax, and simply be children for a moment. Each child can choose a new book to take home — often the first book they’ve ever owned — helping build a connection to reading while giving them something positive to carry with them beyond the day.
Small Moments That Matter
In addition to books, many children receive a ranch or farm-themed stuffed animal — offering comfort, security, and a small reminder that someone cares. These simple gestures can have a meaningful impact, helping children feel seen and supported during a time that can feel overwhelming and uncertain.
How It Works
The Reading Rooms program is built on thoughtful coordination and care.
We work closely with court employees to understand the needs of the children who will be visiting, ensuring that every book is age-appropriate, relevant, and meaningful for each child.
Because of this intentional approach, we do not accept donated books. Instead, all books are carefully selected and purchased by the Foundation to align with the specific needs of the children we serve.
As a tax-exempt organization, we are able to purchase books in bulk and without sales tax, allowing each dollar to go further. This means monetary donations have a direct and amplified impact — helping us provide more books, reach more children, and continually refresh our selections with high-quality, thoughtfully chosen titles.
Every book is chosen with purpose — helping create a moment of comfort, calm, and care during what can be an incredibly difficult experience.
Impact
The Reading Rooms program creates space for comfort and calm during some of the most difficult moments a child may face. These numbers reflect more than distribution — they represent small, meaningful moments when children are given a sense of safety, care, and the opportunity to simply be children.
Support Provided Since 2017
5,759
books were provided to children in family court
2,500+
stuffed animals were distributed
$119,784
invested in this program
Support Provided in 2025
975
books were provided to children in family court
1,000+
stuffed animals were distributed
$34,572
invested in this program
Numbers reported as of July 2025
How To Support
The Reading Rooms program is made possible through community support and partnerships. Contributions help expand these spaces, provide new books, and ensure that children continue to receive comfort items when they need them most.