HONESDALE, PA — Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers (WMCHC) has been approved as a partner with the Reach Out and Read program. Families with children aged through five who come into any of WMCHC’s four pediatric offices for well-child visits, will receive a new, age-appropriate book to take home.

“Leaving your child’s doctor’s appointment with a crisp, colorful book isn’t the only advantage,” the health center’s spokesperson said. Center providers “have been trained to teach parents how to best engage their child in reading and how to interact with text and images to help them follow along. Parents will learn about the benefits of reading aloud and be encouraged to make it part of their daily routine. At the end of the program, each Reach Out and Read child will have a library of between eight and 10 books before entering kindergarten.

“Since arriving at WMCHC, it has been my dream to bring this program to our patients and their families,” said Veronica Cellini, M.D., who is with WMCHC. “I have seen the positive impact it can bring to a child’s life, not only by encouraging early literacy but also through promoting a bond between caregiver and child.”

WMCHC was able to launch the Reach Out and Read program through $15,000 in grant funding from AllOne Foundation & Charities. With the help of Amy Cellar, LPN at WMCHC’s Sterling Pediatric Center, who has been designated as WMCHC’s Reach Out and Read site coordinator, WMCHC has received 400 books to date at a cost of between $2.50 and $3.50 each. More shipments will be coming, as Dr. Cellini estimates approximately 350 would be given out in November alone.

“We are grateful to have this wonderful program in our pediatric health centers,” said Teresa Lacey, RN, the CEO of WMCHC. “It gives us another opportunity to support families and help build strong futures, one story at a time.”

WMCHC is a federally qualified health center.  For more information, visit www.wmchc.net or call 570/253-8390.