Read with Me Celebrates Special Occasions

Read with Me Volunteers Program Celebrates Two Special Occasions

Read With Me Volunteer Programs (RWM) has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception in 2004, when Roberta and Clay Kein felt a need to raise the reading levels of children from low-income families in East Coachella Valley.  It started with one school and a handful of volunteers, and now, 24 years later, the nonprofit, in partnership with the Riverside County Office of Education, includes 29 schools and 700 volunteers.

Recently, RWM celebrated two remarkable occasions: a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new office space and being awarded Nonprofit of the Year at the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

For more on these two events, please read the following reviews.

Ribbon-cutting Ceremony Celebration for Read with Me Volunteer Programs New Office Space

PALM DESERT — A Read with Me Celebrates Special Occasions  special ribbon-cutting event took place at the H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation complex in Palm Desert on March 31, 2026, to celebrate the nonprofit Read With Me Volunteer Programs’ new office space.

The occasion was well attended by representatives from the US Congress, the State Senate, and the State Assembly. Present: Chamber of Commerce Representatives from Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and the Greater Coachella Valley. There was a strong showing of Mayors, Mayor Pro Tems, and councilmembers from Palm Desert and La Quinta.  Also among the well-wishers were Riverside Supervisor Manual Perez, College of the Desert Trustee Mary Jane Sanchez, Berger Foundations representative Catherine N. Reed, and Auen Foundation representative Sherrie Auen.   Many of the RWM staff and board members were on hand to greet guests and make them feel welcome.

“I am truly overwhelmed by the incredible support shown at our ribbon cutting with the Palm Desert, Greater Coachella Valley, and Rancho Mirage Chambers of Commerce,” said Executive Director Sean Webb.  “The outpouring of encouragement from our community reminds us how powerful it is when we come together to champion children’s literacy and education.”

Entertainment before, during, and after the event was provided by the talented Palm Desert High School Chamber Singers.

Alisa Williams, CEO of Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce, started out the day’s events.   “Today, we are celebrating Read With Me Volunteer Programs and the incredible impact they’ve made in our community by helping thousands of local children connect with volunteers to strengthen literacy and confidence.  Read With Me Volunteer Programs has outgrown its space, and we are excited to celebrate this new, larger space with them.”

Read with Me Volunteer Programs Wins Award as Nonprofit of the Year from Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce at Annual Event

PALM DESERT — The annual Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce Business Awards & Board Recognition event took place at Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage on May 6. 2026. The theme was Tiki Aloha.  Many audience members were colorfully dressed in Hawaiian-themed attire. Everyone was having a great time.

Representatives of many local businesses, individuals, and nonprofits were present in support of many deserving nominees.  Read With Me Volunteer Programs was nominated as Nonprofit of the Year.  The competition from several worthy organizations was tough.  It is with humility and honor that Read With Me Volunteer Programs was declared the winner.

Most touching was when co-host Craig Michaels announced the winning nonprofit and disclosed that he was a RWM volunteer at Della Lindley Elementary School in Thousand Palms for their third-grade class.  As RWM Executive Director Sean Webb made his way to accept the award, Michaels had this to say in part.  “It is truly a joy for me to help these kids with their English skills so that they go on in life to become better students and adults and master life.  I volunteer for one hour a week and appreciate how the kids’ faces light up, knowing that what I am adding to their reading will make a difference.  It does make an impact.”

Webb graciously accepted the award.  He pointed out that, in addition to sending volunteers to 29 schools during the school year, RWM has partnered with organizations, schools, and businesses.  It has given students the opportunity to volunteer at the RWM Book Barn, which donated over 100,000 books to the community last year.

Representing RWM were Operations Administrator Barbara Goutos, Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator Erin Hyland, Website/IT Master Stefan Pejovic, Regional Coordinator Alicia Iberra, Regional Coordinator Alisa Dickman, Publicist DeAnn Lubell, and Vice President of Read With Me, Pat Harris, and her husband, Ron.

“Seeing the growth and success of our RWM program in the Coachella Valley over the years is so exciting, rewarding, and fulfilling due to the hard work of many, including all our dedicated volunteers,” said RWM Vice President Pat Harris.  “As a volunteer for 18 years and a board member for several years, it is a dream come true.  We appreciate the recognition from the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce and the community.”

For more information about volunteering with Read With Me Volunteer Programs, please go to their website at www.readwithmevolunteer.org or call 760-587-1830.

 

Photos courtesy by Stefan Pejovic