UNITED THROUGH READING®
The USO, in partnership with Family Literacy Foundation, is proud to offer
the United Through Reading® program at select USO centers worldwide. This program helps deployed service men and women stay
connected to the children in their lives through the medium of reading aloud. This program allows service members visiting
participating USO centers to videotape themselves reading a children's book. The DVD, a copy of the book, instructions, as
well as information on the United Through Reading program, are mailed to the child and family back home. All recording equipment,
books and packaging materials are supplied by the USO.
The parent or caregiver is encouraged to photograph or videotape the child’s excitement as
they watch the DVD and follow along with the book. The photograph or DVD then can be sent to the deployed family member, boosting
the morale of the entire family and enhancing the feeling of connectedness.
Benefits to the Children:
United Through Reading benefits children by bringing a visual image
of the deployed parent into the home. The children see and hear their parent reading a storybook to them. Children watch the DVD
over and over. The combination of the visual image, children's storyline, and repetition are what makes this program so powerful.
The Program:
- Children are kept in touch with parents and children's reading skills
may be improved.
- The joy of reading is instilled in children while meaningful communication
is maintained.
- Children's self-esteem is enhanced and family bonding is strengthened.
Benefits to Family at Home:
- Family at home feel a sense of support from the deployed parent.
- Family can explain the deployed parent's absence to the child(ren).
"Our daughter watches her videos every day and loves them. She counts with
her Daddy, reads along with him and dances to his singing. It has helped to keep him in her life and thoughts constantly and
greatly eases the transition of his coming home."
"At 4:00 p.m. every day, the DVD of their Dad reading goes in and
for the next hour, my children are with their father. They replay the DVD and never get tired of watching it over and
over and over."
"My son will no doubt remember his Dad when he returns. I believe their
"time to read and get ready for bed" tradition has not been broken the entire deployment."
Benefits to the Deployed Member:
- The active duty member is given an additional avenue to actively support
their family at home during deployment.
- Reading aloud serves as a morale booster for the deployed member.
- The deployed parent can continue the read-aloud tradition from afar.
"I have the opportunity to be involved with my children even though the
ship is forward deployed."
"It gives me a chance to talk to my kids. They can see that I'm OK
and being taken care of."
"Helping my child to read was wonderful. It allowed me to feel closer to
home, and my child could see and hear Mom anytime through the video."
