Traveling Stories
Shining a Light on Literacy
Our story has come to an end.
After almost 14 years of service, Traveling Stories is sad to share it will be closing its doors in November 2023. We’ve reached a point where we do not have the resources we need to continue. We hope our mission will live on through you.
Traveling Stories is proof that any ordinary person can make a difference. Our story began with a silly idea in one woman’s head. She couldn't keep that idea to herself and so it grew and grew.
It grew into little libraries in South Sudan, El Salvador, Nicaragua, the Philippines and Cambodia. As a result, 3,000 young people gained access to books for the first time!
Then it grew into StoryTents at malls and farmers markets. Every child who fell in love with reading at these Tents helped the idea grow even bigger. Soon there were StoryTents in many places including City Heights, El Cajon, Santee, Orange County, Imperial Beach, Vista, Nashville and even Toronto, Canada. This time, the idea helped more than 7,000 young people!
This idea got so strong that even a pandemic couldn’t stop it! It morphed into the Virtual StoryTent and started serving families online. In just three years, the idea grew to more than 9,000 hours of 1-on-1 reading support and mentorship for children in 1st-3rd grade.
Our chapter is ending, but the idea can continue to grow … with you!
A Parting Gift
We created a simple coloring book to commemorate all the good we achieved together. Download it for free HERE and print at home.
Our mission lives on in you…
Volunteers were the heart and soul of Traveling Stories. We hope you will continue to give your time and talent. Here are a few of our favorite organizations to support:
Check out these free reading resources:
Listen to the Emily Hanford Podcasts and learn why so many children aren’t learning how to read.
Donate books to a Little Free Library in your neighborhood!
Our Mission
Empowering students to achieve their dreams.
The Problem We Addressed
Did you know that most students who are poor readers in 3rd grade will remain poor readers in high school? Children who cannot read proficiently by the 4th grade are up to 15x more likely to drop out of school. Students who don’t graduate are not qualified for 90% of jobs and earn on average just $23,000 per year.
At Traveling Stories, we believe every child has the ability to achieve, but many lack the tools and support they need to succeed. For children, our programs focus on building confidence, agency and strong reading skills by the 4th grade. For teens and young adults, our programs focus on developing leadership and job readiness skills.
Traveling Stories engages with students in empowering ways from 1st grade to graduation!
Our Programs
Virtual StoryTent
1-on-1 reading support and mentorship for 1st-3rd grade students.
Pathways to College & Career
Internship for youth ages 15-20 years old.
Loyal Readers
Submit book reviews for chances to win passes to a Loyal Soccer game. For K-12th grade students.
Writing Contest
A writing contest for students in 1st-5th grade to support self-expression.
Walk for Literacy
An annual community-wide event to celebrate the joy of reading.
Impact since 2020
6,984
Volunteer Hours
526
Children
Empowered
394
Volunteers
Trained
30
Interns Equipped
“Reading has the power to change your life and can even make you a better athlete. Our Club is proud to partner with Traveling Stories and we can’t wait to see what youth in San Diego are reading.”
-Landon Donovan, Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations for SD Loyal
Youth in San Diego can submit book reviews for chances to win free tickets to a SD Loyal 2023 match!
Partnering to Promote Reading
Success Stories
His grades in school started going up…
Mohammad admits that before he found the StoryTent he hated reading. Now, because of Traveling Stories, he loves reading and is writing his own book. Mohammad says that his grades in school started going up when he started reading for fun. Now a high school student, he volunteers at the StoryTent to help younger kids benefit from the program in the same way he did. Listen to Mohammad’s radio interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune!
The girls grew more confident…
When we first met Aleen and Kareen, they communicated with grunts. At four-years-old, they didn’t speak. Their mom was worried. After visiting the StoryTent every week for several months, the girls grew more confident and started speaking. Now, they greet new readers and explain how the program works. They’ve identified favorite books and are working to read on their own.
One-on-one support helped him learn how to read on his own…
Abdihamid was 9 years old when he first visited the StoryTent. He couldn’t read and was too embarrassed to ask for help. Motivated by the prizes, he continued to visit often. To earn Book Bucks he had to read with a volunteer. Eventually, this one-on-one support helped Abdihamid learn how to read on his own. He’s now confidently reading chapter books and earning prizes worth over $50 Book Bucks.
Donor Partner Spotlight
Our biggest supporter, Humble Bundle, offers digital bundles of games, books, comics, and more through its pay-what-you-want promotions. Customers decide where their money goes– between content creators, charity, and Humble Bundle.
Dr. Corbin Smith gives patients books when they visit his office in Rancho Bernardo. Find out why reading is so important to this new family dentist!