1. 14450 NE 29th
Place Suite 210, Bellevue WA 98007 | (425) 558-1000
Building Life Skills Through Literacy, Page Ahead Serves
More Than 35,000 At-Risk Children Each Year
Founded in 1990, Page Ahead partners with over 200 schools,
social service agencies, childhood centers, and shelters
across the state to provide new books to children and their
families, along with access to reading events and other
literacy‑based community programs. Since its inception,
Page Ahead has distributed more than 2.3 million books
to 650,000 at‑risk children.
Working from the proven fact that “succeeding begins with
reading,” Page Ahead also offers a wildly popular Story Time
program for schools within King and Pierce Counties. Rebecca
is one of the more than 450 volunteers who support the
Story Time program. She and fellow volunteers read stories
based on selected themes, sing songs, and do crafts related
to a story, providing enriching engagement and vital learning
opportunities.
For the past six years, Rebecca has been volunteering once
a month with 22 kindergarteners at a Page Ahead location
in Seattle. “I have a passion for books, writing, and working
with kids, so it seemed like a natural fit when I discovered this
volunteer position. The kids are so happy, and they make me
feel so happy,” said Rebecca.
“Rebecca has been visiting our kindergarten class every month
to read stories and do a craft. The students love Rebecca’s
enthusiasm in her storytelling and they love how she is able to
bring the story to life,” praised kindergarten teacher Gloria Cho.
“It is nice to have someone from the community come to read
stories, which are engaging and meaningful. The students talk
about their monthly experiences with their families and cannot
wait for their next visit from Rebecca.”
And it is not just the teachers praising the Page Ahead Story
Time program. The kids rave too.
“Some of the stories can teach you lessons for all your life,”
said David, a student at DeLong Elementary, Tacoma.
“Without books, my life is ruined! That’s how much I love
books,” said Shaheed, a student at Bryn Mawr Elementary.
Teachers sign up for Story Time to increase their class reading
time, expose students to new books, and introduce classes
to other adult readers. Last year, 84% of teachers rated
Page Ahead’s Story Time program as excellent, and 97% were
interested in continuing the program next year.
“I love to see how excited the kids get for my visit. It means
that the stories are speaking to them and enriching their
lives. Plus, I get treated like a celebrity when I arrive, with
hugs and kisses, and ‘I love you’s.’ It always makes my day,”
concluded Rebecca.
Rebecca has been with Entirenet for two years, and is also a
novelist, freelance travel writer, and creative writing teacher.
She has published a novel for adults, BreakupBabe: A Novel
(Ballantine Books, 2006), and is currently working on another
novel for middle‑school‑aged children. Besides writing and
reading, Rebecca also enjoys the great outdoors, biking, hiking,
skiing, kayaking, or backpacking whenever she gets the chance.
Entirenet is proud to recognize Xbox Support technical writer Rebecca Agiewich’s community volunteer efforts with
Seattle‑based non‑profit Page Ahead. Washington State’s largest provider of children’s literary services, Page Ahead
has one key goal: improve reading and language skills for at‑risk youth from birth to 12 years of age. According to the
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, by the fourth grade, only 68% of children from low‑income families
in Washington State can read at a basic level, compared to 88% from more affluent households. Page Ahead is working
to turn this around.
Please contact Stephanie Long at 425.558.1000 x718 for
media requests and inquiries.
Rebecca Agiewich Plays Key Role
in Page Ahead’s Story Time Program