DONATIONS AT WORK HIGHLIGHTS 2025/26

Little Red Reading House

A child’s future is influenced by the words they learn today. Research evidence shows that early literacy and language skills play a critical role in shaping health and long‑term outcomes across a child’s life.

Your generous support for Little Red Reading House and its outreach programming has championed reading and literacy for thousands of children in our community over the past year and put books in the hands of kids who may not otherwise have had access.

Little Red Reading House is a welcoming space for young readers located in Calgary’s Inglewood community. Last year, the team welcomed 7,837 visitors, including 33 community organizations and 24 schools. Every child who visits the House can choose a book to take home and keep, supporting the growth of home libraries and a lasting connection to reading.

Through the Book Bank, which supplies all books that kids can take home, literature is shared beyond the House, distributed to local organizations and throughout the community.

Last year, an amazing 36,075 books were given out through the Book Bank. Books are provided to a number of partners, including:

• Aboriginal Friendship Centre
• Alberta Children’s Hospital
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Brenda Strafford House
• Calgary Food Bank
• Families Matter
• Habitat for Humanity
• Kids Cancer Care
• The Mustard Seed
• Women’s Centre of Calgary

This includes 6,328 books to the Calgary Food Bank — including up to 500 books a month to help fill the birthday room, so kids can pick out a special book and feel celebrated — and 2,415 for the Calgary Board of Education’s Books on Buses program, which makes books available for kids to read on the way to and from school.

This was a great literacy opportunity for our younger students. We saw them become excited about reading when they got to choose their own book and practice literacy at home.”
— Teacher

The Little Red Reading Van is a mobile experience – bringing books into the community, expanding access to literacy experiences by visiting schools and meeting with families at non-profits. Last year, the Van visited 11 schools, engaged 1,379 students, distributed 1,400 books and made 33 appearances at community events.

Research in action

Meanwhile, researchers worked with the Little Red Reading House team to help kids grow and thrive as readers. Now part of the Owerko Centre at the University of Calgary, the House continues to welcome children and caregivers and offers opportunities for families to engage with UCalgary researchers, students and partners on child health topics.

Dr. Jessica‑Lynn Walsh joined the Owerko Centre as the new Pacific Spirit Foundation Researcher in Residence and Manager of Community‑Partnered Research and Engagement. Her work is helping ensure the research and knowledge generated at the Owerko Centre has a meaningful, real‑world impact by being woven into Little Red Reading House programming.

Additionally, Dr. Walsh has directed important initiatives, including translating literacy research into approachable, practical tools for parents, educators and community organizations, and gathering thoughtful feedback to strengthen programming for neurodivergent and disabled children.

Dr. Lorraine Reggin, previously the Westman Researcher in Residence, focused on launching the Early Words project. Dr. Reggin is now based at another university and remains a contributing member to Owerko Centre research.

The Early Words study looks at the impact of literacy counselling during visits at Calgary health clinics. Significant progress was made over the last year, including training more than 75 healthcare providers how to meaningfully engage with families. Since the summer of 2025, 1,285 families have expressed interest in participating.

Dr. Reggin also contributed to several other research projects focused on how early language development relates to children’s learning, relationships and mental health.