Mid-Columbia Reading Foundation
The Children's Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia was founded by eleven school districts in southeastern Washington in 1996 as "The Reading Foundation," to encourage parents to read early and often with their children. When the movement began to expand to other commuities the name was changed to reflect the community. All Reading Foundation affiliates re-branded in 2009 to the current name structure.
News and Events
Good Bye and Hello
January 29, 2010
Today is my last day as Director of the Children's Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia. The past 5 1/2 years have been a joy. My colleagues on staff have become family. Their passion and hard work on behalf of children inspired me every day.
Our incredible Board of Directors led us through some tough times and we came out stronger. Many thanks to them for their support and leadership.
I leave with no regrets and with the knowledge that the organizations is in excellent hands. Brian Ace is familiar with and 100% dedicated to our mission. As the New Executive Director he and this wonderful staff will take the organization to new heights.
Please give them your support.
Marc Harden
Brian Ace Chosen as New Executive Director
Brian Ace has been named Executive Director for the Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia, announced board president John Neill. "Although we are going to miss Marc Harden very much as the Executive Director, we are excited and very pleased to have Brian Ace as our new leader.. Brian has the passion for our mission plus the local knowledge and experience to carry on and expand the Foundation's programs in order to continue it's successes in promoting literacy in our region. We wish Marc a very successful and enjoyable retirement ".
Ace will assume his new duties by February 1, replacing Marc Harden, who has held the post since 2004 and is retiring. “I am excited to join the Reading Foundation as we support parents, caregivers, educators, and our community to assure every child learns to read early and well. Marc has assembled a dedicated and capable team of staff, partners and volunteers. There is a vibrant and meaningful future for this organization.”
Ace, a Tri-City native, graduated from Kennewick High School. He received his Bachelor of arts degree in Psychology and Theology from Seattle Pacific University and has a Master’s degree in School Counseling from WSU Tri-Cities. Ace brings local non-profit experience having served as Vice President of Finance for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties and as Director of Development for The Chaplaincy. He is a graduate of Leadership Tri-Cities Class XIII and is a member of the Tri-Cities Sunrise Rotary Club.
“We had an excellent pool of candidates for this important post and Brian rose to the top,” said Nancy Kerr, founder of what was originally called The Reading Foundation and current president of the National Children’s Reading Foundation. “We are confident Brian will continue the successful programs initiated by Marc and take this important work to the next level.”
MSA Hanford Announces $10K Grant to Support Books for Babies
The Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia (formerly the Mid-Columbia Reading Foundation) learned today that the Mission Support Alliance (MSA), a Hanford prime contractor, is awarding a $10K grant to the Foundation to support its long-running “Books for Babies” program. “The Books for Babies” program was started soon after the Reading Foundation was established in 1996,” said Reading Foundation Executive Director Marc Harden. “Mothers and their new babies leave area hospitals with a baby’s board book and materials encouraging parents to read with their children from birth,” he added.
The program was funded for the first 11 years by Fluor as part of their community support activities during their tenure at the Hanford Site. “We are extremely pleased to welcome the MSA as a partner in early childhood development and as the primary sponsor of this important program,” Harden said.
“Research has shown that developing a child’s literacy skills through early experiences with books and stories is critically linked to a child’s success in learning to read,” said Frank Figueroa, MSA’s president and general manager. “My most treasured gifts have always been books, and I recently gave sweatshirts to my grandchildren that said, ‘If you love me, read me a book.’ We are delighted to support such a worthy endeavor here in our community.”
