Building brighter futures through reading

The facts are clear: Reading is a fundamental part of a child's development. When children read regularly with an adult and have access to books from an early age, studies show they are happier, healthier and more successful not only as they grow up, but also later in life.

BOK Financial® is committed to supporting education, which helps foster long-term community growth; in fact, it's one of four philanthropic giving pillars. Employees bring this corporate commitment to life on a local scale—where the most important work is done.

Building special moments for volunteers—and students
For instance, Jessica Powers works in treasury client services at BOK Financial and volunteers as a tutor with Reading Partners in Tulsa. Her experience reading nightly with her son, who is now eight years old, inspired her to volunteer to help other children improve their reading skills. "I started working on letters with my son when he was very young," shared Powers. "Seeing how that has already helped him in his life made me very excited to help other kids with reading. Being able to read builds confidence. There are few areas in life where reading isn't needed; it's an important life skill."

She visits a local elementary school weekly for a one-on-one tutoring session and enjoys building a relationship with the same student throughout the school year.

"There are moments, especially near the end of the school year, when you realize just how much their reading skills have grown," Powers explained. "At the end of a previous school year, my student and I wrote notes on bookmarks for each other. I was able to see in his own words how much he learned and enjoyed our time together. It is such a special memento!"

Denver program grants books to children
In her role as senior regional community relations manager in Denver, Lorie Rubio makes a career of helping employees discover their volunteer passions. "The power of volunteerism brings employees together to connect outside of the workplace and learn about each other," said Rubio. "But more importantly, it helps them connect with others in their community where they live, work and play, allowing them to understand and address the needs of their fellow residents."

 

One of the programs Rubio is especially passionate about is BOK Financial's partnership with Denver7 News and the Scripps Howard Fund for the "If You Give a Child a Book" program, which aims to put new books in the hands of children from low- to moderate-income families. The event is just like the book fairs many of us remember as kids, but for these children, the books are free.

BOK Financial donates new books, then, during the book fair, employees read to the students and help them pick out five free, new books, Rubio shared. "It's heartwarming and a bit emotional seeing the students get so excited for their new books, because we know that kids who have books at home are far more likely to succeed in school and eventually have successful careers down the road."

Other ways to help give the gift of reading
Through BOK Financial's partnership with the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation and a local elementary school, employees can invest in students through programs like PenPal, Read Across America and the book bus.

Luvenia Goodrich, business initiative consultant at BOK Financial, witnessed the benefits of these programs through her participation in PenPal.

 

Employees exchange letters with a student throughout the school year. At the end of the year, they get to meet their pen pal in person and enjoy snow cones together. "It's so fun to finally meet the child whose letters you've been reading," said Goodrich. "The goal of the letters is not only to get to know the students, but most of all, get them into the habit of reading, writing and communicating with another person. You can really see a difference in their growth from letter to letter."

Throughout their years of involvement with educational causes, Powers, Rubio and Goodrich have all discovered one thing: No act is too small.

"My dad always instilled in my family the importance of community," Goodrich shared. "He was all about putting in the effort and lending a hand to others whenever possible.

"It doesn't have to be something huge; even the smallest actions can have a big impact. If you're able to assist, then go for it."

- Luvenia Goodrich, business initiative consultant at BOK Financial

Top-of-page photo: A BOK Financial volunteer reads to students in Denver at a book fair.