When I was offered a position as a Communications Intern with Readeezy, I was ecstatic. As a third-year student studying English literature and marketing, it was the perfect opportunity to blend my passion for books and my social media experience to advance a non-profit whose mission I firmly believed in. Upon beginning the internship, a simple question was posed to the Communications team: What would you like to do?

I immediately knew. 

Readeezy’s CEO, Dr. Maria Cleary, spoke at length about the value of facilitating partnerships between educators and other non-profits during my interview process. Readeezy already explored partnerships intended to enhance our books’ readability, but aimed to expand its outreach to classrooms and organizations where the need for literacy resources was most critical. Having a direct role in placing Readeezy’s books in the hands of striving and disabled readers instantly appealed to me, and I quickly got to work.

Outreach with a Purpose

Stepping into an unfamiliar position, I was fortunate to have a strong starting point; previous Communications Interns compiled a list of potential contacts. I began drafting emails: some to educators who could integrate Readeezy’s books into their classrooms and others to non-profit organizations committed to providing delayed/disabled tweens, teens and ELL students with essential literacy resources.

Early in the process, I began to truly understand the weight of my role. I thoroughly reviewed every individual and organization to which I reached out, learned about their programs or line of work, and identified how Readeezy could aid in their existing efforts. As I began sourcing my own contacts, I discovered more about other non-profits’ role in promoting accessibility in literacy. Every message I sent was an opportunity to build a bridge between a struggling reader and an engaging book, or forge a rewarding collaboration between another non-profit, an educator, or a parent struggling to encourage their children to read. 

In just under eight weeks, I have contacted over 200 potential partners.

What I Discovered

I found that Readeezy does not just create engaging hi-lo books; we join a wider conversation about how to serve readers who are often overlooked. Nearly three months of researching other organizations provided me with valuable insights into the countless programs that operate in communities across the country. These programs provide an opportunity for English language-learners, disabled individuals, and struggling or delayed readers to develop the reading skills necessary to ensure lifelong success. I took my outreach a step further and attended a Project for Adolescent Literacy (PAL) webinar. There, I uncovered an extensive network of people who work to support students through research, classroom innovation, and technology integration. Wherever my outreach took me, I saw the same shared commitment: to break down barriers to literacy and ensure that every individual, regardless of age or ability, has the tools to thrive. 

What I Will Carry Forward

During my internship, I applied my previous experience in digital marketing and communications and deepened my understanding of strategic outreach. Here are the three most important lessons I learned:

• Intention Matters: Just as I considered my audience when crafting a social media post (or a blog post!), it was also necessary to tailor my message to the organization or person I was contacting. There should always be an emphasis on genuine connection and respect for what other organizations contribute to their community.

• Always Follow-Up: There is extraordinary value in a well-timed follow-up. If I did not receive a response after five days, I sent a follow-up email. This active approach led to meaningful conversations, including one between Dr. Cleary and a potential partner.  

• Keep Moving Forward: Not every contact will respond. Emails can get lost, resources may be limited, or, simply, the timing may not be right. Whatever the reason, it was vital for me to not get discouraged. Rather than seeing this as failure, I viewed it as a chance to refine my approach for future Communications cohorts.

Communication is, at its core, the art of building connection and understanding. The same is true in professional settings, and more than that, it is integral to Readeezy’s mission. Because, really, what are books if not a conversation between writer and reader or storyteller and listener?

As someone who intends to pursue a career in the publishing industry, this internship experience expanded my view of equity and inclusion in the field. Readeezy exists within a vibrant community of non-profit organizations, educators, and researchers that work tirelessly to fill gaps in traditional publishing. From communications interns and grant writers to illustrators and authors, I am proud of the work all of Readeezy’s interns have accomplished, and I am even more proud to have played a role in improving literacy for readers everywhere.