Wells International Foundation could not have more passion for the subject of literacy!

Our founder, Dr. Monique Y. Wells, is a veterinarian and a world traveler because of books that she read before the age of eight.  She is living proof of the power of reading to open a child’s mind to the infinite possibilities available in this world.

Through our Literacy SFA, WIF focuses on early readers (Kindergarten and Grade 1) and early transitional readers (children who are transitioning from reading picture books and simple texts to becoming self-regulating, independent readers of more difficult texts – Grades 2-3) who are of African descent.

We provide opportunities for these students to:

• Learn to love reading
• Find role models in books that “look like them” regarding race and gender
• Be exposed to topics that can inspire an interest in travel and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics).

Empowering Young Houstonians to Read

WIF launched its Reading Never Stops literacy initiative in Houston, TX with the People and Pajamas read-a-thon in June 2017. In partnership with the Houston Public Library, we successfully brought families together, contributed to the building of home libraries for children, and showed kids that the library can be a place to have fun!

We also participated in a Storytime event at the Children’s Museum of Houston and donated books to our partner organization, the Put It In A Book Foundation, for a back-to-school giveaway at an elementary school in north Houston.

Through each of our literacy projects, we provide materials that expose youngsters to topics pertaining to STEAM and to travel abroad.  We ensure that students can “see themselves” in the books they read so they can find confidence in and validation of their identities – so they can get a sense of who they are and who they can become.

Our second People & Pajamas read-a-thon, which we co-sponsored with the Houston Public Library, served as the launch for the library’s Summer Reading Program at the Johnson Branch in Sunnyside.  It was held on June 3, 2019.