United Through Reading® is on a mission to strengthen military families’ literacy, emotional bonds, and well-being through the power of reading together at every age, no matter the distance. We envision a nation of thriving military families whose strength is amplified by a shared love for reading. To achieve that vision, our nationally acclaimed program helps children feel connected to their military parents by providing the tools military families need to connect through storytime, including ways for service members to record themselves reading children's books, which are then gifted to the child. Service members and veterans can record a story for their families at more than 200 recording locations worldwide or on a mobile device with our free and secure app. United Through Reading brings distanced family members back home for a little while each day, turning possibly tentative family re-introductions into joyous reunions. We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public benefit organization.
Service members are video recorded reading a story to a beloved child. The video recording and book are then sent home to the child to watch on demand. All services are free.
The UTR program:
UTR is available at more than 200 sites around the world. They are embedded in units, such as onboard Navy ships; at a specific location, such as certain Armed Services YMCA locations; at events, including Yellow Ribbon events; at the Mobile Story Station, currently serving the San Diego area; and the new, free United Through Reading App available on Android and iOS.