As a mother and a children’s author, I felt compelled to direct the focus of my Always Dream Foundation and to make early childhood literacy in under-served communities our core mission. The statistics are staggering and served as my motivation to become actively engaged in the cause of literacy. My Always Dream Foundation is now focused on building awareness around the importance of in-home reading and on empowering low-income families with the tools necessary to level the playing field. We do this by providing access to high-quality books in the home via 21st century technology, all while engaging parents to become active participants in their child’s everyday learning. When kids build a love of reading, they move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” This milestone is undeniably transformative, opening doors to new possibilities and dreams. - Kristi Yamaguchi, co-founder