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Basking Ridge, NJ – In celebration of Language Lizard’s 15th anniversary, the company is taking the 1% Pledge. Pledge 1% is a global movement that aims to create a new normal for companies of all sizes, and enable them to have a positive social impact through their business. They make giving back a priority. The Pledge 1% commitment is a public promise to provide a specific pledge type or donation combination of profit, product, equity and/or employee time to a designated charity of choice.
Choosing Room to Read as the 1% recipient is a logical fit for Language Lizard, whose mission is to support culturally responsive teaching by providing creative, engaging educational products in over 50 languages to schools, libraries, and bilingual families. Their bilingual children’s books and posters not only enhance dual-language literacy and promote early language learning, but also teach children about other cultures and traditions, thus helping to build welcoming and inclusive classrooms. Room to Read is a global, non-profit organization with a local New Jersey chapter.
Room to Read focuses on literacy and gender equality in education in 16 countries in Asia and Africa. The New Jersey chapter facilitates events to raise funding and awareness for Room to Read programs, including local language book publishing and support for girls in secondary school.
Language Lizard was founded in 2005 by multicultural education expert Anneke Forzani. “As a publisher, I love the idea of supporting writers and illustrators throughout the world, and ensuring that culturally relevant books go to children who will learn and be inspired by them.” says Forzani.
Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 was the kick-off for this partnership pledge to support Room to Read’s Book Publishing program. The Room to Read program conducts writer and illustrator workshops in communities to teach the best practices in children’s storytelling. Nicole Smith, NJ Chapter Leader, says, “We are fortunate to have won the lottery of life by being born into a country and part of a community that values education and enjoys an abundance of resources and immense opportunity. I have devoted the last decade to advocating for the poorest people on the planet to experience enable opportunity through literacy. Partnering with companies like Language Lizard that share a commitment to cultural diversity and literacy is truly transformative.”
Language Lizard believes that children will be inspired to learn languages and connect with other cultures if they are exposed to fun and creative learning materials early on in their lives. Their dual-language books and audio resources are offered in English with and over 50 languages. The stories are innovative and creative while teaching children about other cultures and traditions. The beautiful illustrations in the books and posters celebrate the diversity in our communities. Language Lizard offers free multicultural lesson plans and other useful information for teachers and parents on their website and blog. https://www.languagelizard.com
Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read’s innovative model focuses on deep, systemic transformation within schools in low-income communities during two time periods that are most critical in a child’s schooling: early primary school for literacy acquisition and secondary school for girls’ education. The organization works in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations, and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and ensures girls can complete secondary school with the skills necessary to negotiate key life decisions. Room to Read has benefited 16.8 million children across more than 37,000 communities in 16 countries. Learn more at https://www.roomtoread.org
For more information, including photos and videos of Room to Read’s amazing work in developing nations, contact Nicole Smith: LEX@languagelizard.com
888-554-9273
Release ID: 88938495