Expanding Access to Literacy in Hollywood
On August 15, 2026, a community celebration marked the inauguration of a new reading corner at the Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood. This initiative was a collaborative effort between Epic Books for Kids, a leading digital reading platform for children, and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), a prominent nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing literacy among children. The reading corner aims to cultivate a love for reading by providing both physical and digital literary resources for kids in the community.
Making Reading Accessible
During the event, Epic and RIF generously donated 1,000 children's books to bolster the availability of quality reading materials for local families. Julia Horowitz, the Chief Content Officer at Epic, emphasized the importance of making reading enjoyable and accessible for every child. "By partnering with Reading Is Fundamental and the Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood, we're creating a space where children can discover books that reflect their interests and build lifelong reading habits," she stated.
The celebration included interactive literacy stations, creative activities, book giveaways, and opportunities for families to explore both the physical book collection and Epic's digital platform. Special guest author Seina Wedlick participated by performing a live reading of her book, "Naming Ceremony," further engaging young attendees in the joy of storytelling.
Believing that reading holds transformative power, Alicia Levi, President and CEO of RIF, said, "This reading corner represents what is possible when organizations come together around a shared commitment to children's literacy. By combining access to books, engaging literacy experiences, and innovative digital resources, we’re helping more children discover the joy and power of reading."
Mel Culpepper, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood, remarked, "It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with Reading Is Fundamental and Epic to establish a space in our club that's focused on reading. It’s an opportunity for the kids to read, discover, and explore what is possible. It’s a special day for us, and I want to thank Reading Is Fundamental and Epic for making it possible."
Promoting Lifelong Literacy
Throughout the event, volunteers from Epic and RIF were on hand to assist families in finding new books, fostering daily reading habits that go beyond the classroom environment. This initiative underscores both organizations' dedication to improving equitable access to literacy resources and demonstrates the potential of community collaboration to enhance educational opportunities for children.
With the growing literacy crisis in the U.S., efforts like these are vital in ensuring that every child can thrive academically and personally. The collective initiative between Epic Books for Kids and RIF serves as a model for future community-based literacy initiatives and demonstrates the importance of collaboration in addressing educational disparities.
About Epic Books for Kids
Epic Books for Kids is recognized globally as the leading digital reading platform for children 12 years old and under, offering access to an extensive collection of over 40,000 high-quality books, audiobooks, videos, and educational resources. The platform is celebrated by families and educators worldwide for helping children embrace reading and build confidence in their literacy skills.
For more information, visit
Epic's official website.
About Reading Is Fundamental
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is committed to fostering a nation of lifelong readers by igniting the joy of reading in all children. Since its inception in 1966, RIF has provided nearly 430 million books and reading resources to over 237 million children, significantly impacting generations by ensuring that they possess the fundamentals necessary for success.
To explore more about their initiatives and partnership opportunities, visit
RIF's website.