Sweet Readers

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About Us

Our Mission is to empower young people, through training, transformative programs and communities of support to revitalize adults living with Alzheimer’s and become catalysts for excellent healthcare for all.

WHY SWEET READERS?

Sweet Readers is effective because of three key factors:

1. WE ADDRESS CRITICAL & UNIVERSAL NEEDS.

    • VALIDATION
    • PURPOSE
    • COMMUNITY

While scientists race for a cure, 47 million people, set to triple in number and who will probably not benefit from drug breakthroughs, are struggling with the isolating effects of Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia. Their struggle ripples through communities with an unsustainable, escalating cost to families and society. Turns out some of their critical needs are universal. Our method of Transformative Human Engagement fosters validation, purpose and community for all of our constituents, regardless of their age, gender, socioeconomics, learning differences, or cognitive functioning.

2. Our Model is Economically Efficient.

    • Vested Stakeholders
    • Self-sustaining Programs
    • Community Supported Growth

The expenses of establishing our communities are shared with our vested stakeholders and diminish as our communities become self-sustaining within three years. Given our economies of scale, for every dollar you invest in Sweet Readers programs, our partners will collectively invest approximately $6.62 on a growing scale from approximately 55% to 100% of program cost. This model enables us to scale in depth and breadth cost effectively.

3. Our Work Yields Expansive Results.

    • Empathy & Awareness
    • Competence & Empowerment
    • Bridged Communities & Systemic Change

Our Sweet Readers programs and the progressive engagement we provide, empower young people to become empathic, collaborative and creative-problem solvers. These skills will serve them well as they become our future leaders, policy makers, scientists, analysts and providers of care.

Our community building model extends the impact of each empowered child and their adult partner through their families and communities because we actively engage them in our work.

As we expand our programs, with your help, across regions and countries and connect those communities with each other, we are together building a global, systemic movement for change.

Impact a Life

THE SEVEN PILLARS OF SWEET READERS

The Seven Pillars of Sweet Readers are our guiding principles.

1. Be Mission Driven

If it doesn’t serve our mission, we don’t do it.

2. People and Partners are the Heart of Sweet Readers.

Cultivate Vested and Enduring Partnerships & Stakeholders. This includes following through and taking responsibility when things don’t work out as planned.

3. Communicate Openly, Clearly and Honestly.

Even when it’s challenging.

4. Rigorously Evaluate and Collaboratively update Systems & Processes.

This includes considering multiple perspectives and learning from the experts.

5. Respect what works,

let go of what doesn’t.

6. Scale Strategically

Learn More

7. Enjoy the journey!

Impact & Accomplishments

60,000+

Hours of Programming Provided!

40,000+

Diverse Participants Served!

1,700+

Program Sessions!

250+

Network of School Partners

150+

Network of Elder Care Partners

11

Major Museum Partners

Average Per School Year Engagement:

THE IMPACT OF YOUR INVESTMENT DONATE

Inside the Programs

News

Sweet Readers has Won the Innovations in Alzheimer's Caregiving Award!

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, the Helen Daniels Bader Fund, a Bader Philanthropy, and Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) have selected Sweet Readers for this prize because of the state-of-the-art program that we deliver that addresses the needs of caregivers and those they care for with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

The awards ceremony will take place on March 25 in Atlanta and the public is welcome to attend! See here more information here.

February 17, 2020
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SR CEO Karen Young is honored by AARP!

Sweet Readers Co-Founder and CEO Karen Young is selected for the AARP Purpose Prize Class of 2018! Big Congratulations to Karen Young!

December 5, 2018
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Young Leaders Step Up!

The Sweet Readers Leadership Council has grown to 15 select high school students in New York City. These special Young Leaders are We are building a model to expand globally!

November 15, 2018
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Sweet Readers Expands to The Bronx and Washington Heights!

TYWLS Bronx Sweet Readers bring so much heart and joy to the adults at Riverstone Senior Center – they are reinventing community! Special thanks to Christina, Brittany, Lindsay, Carmen and Ilana.

October 18, 2018
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Sweet Readers Expands in Greenwich!

Brunswick Sweet Readers enters its 6th year with an expanded program in partnership with Willow Gardens of New Rochelle and Parsonage Cottage of Greenwich. Special thanks to Erin, Sarah, the whole Brunswick team, Sallie and Tammy!

October 12, 2018
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Sweet Readers Expands to Chelsea in Partnership with the Alzheimer's Foundation of America!

De La Salle Sweet Readers connect with neighborhood adults and their care partners at the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Special thanks to Molly, Soobin, Jodie, Sandy & Ira, Hedy, Paul & Eileen and those wonderful Sweet Readers!

October 9, 2018
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Sweet Readers Orientation at Mount Sinai School of Medicine!

This year’s orientation featured neuroscientist and founding director of the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, Dr. Howard Fillit, Genontologist and SR Board Member, Dr. Linda DeCherrie, Young Leaders Kate Mintz and Avital Mintz and SR CEO Karen Young. Watch the video and listen to the goal of every Sweet Reader!

October 5, 2018
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Sweet Readers Expands to Chicago!

Catherine Cook Sweet Readers are marvelous! In 2018, Sweet Readers expanded to Chicago with Catherine Cook Sweet Readers and Sunrise Lincoln Park. We also tested our Local Liaison model with great success thanks to Kate K. The teams at Sunrise and Catherine Cook are dedicated and brilliant! A big thank you to CeCe at Sunrise, Kate, Jessica M., Lara, Kelli, Cory, Jessica D., Kristin and all those wonderful Catherine Cook Sweet Readers!

September 25, 2018
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Sweet Readers Expands in London!

Now in their third year, Alleyn’s Sweet Readers continue to connect with the residents at Castlebar Care Home on a weekly basis. A warm welcome to Kate, Charlotte and Jenny!

September 17, 2018
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Sweet Readers expands Early Stage Community!

We are delighted to announce 10 new Manhattan programs developed specifically for adults living with early- to mid-stage Alzheimer’s and their care partners. Each program is 5-6 one-hour weekly facilitated sessions during which adults and their care partners, paired with Sweet Readers, explore and create art, music, poetry and/or movement as they discover each other.

October 10, 2017
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“Learn from the Experts” interview series unveiled!

Learn about Alzheimer’s and brain health from the experts! Our Young Leaders have discovered some of the finest minds in Alzheimer’s research and brain health and have launched their Learn from the Experts Series to bring the experts to you!

October 6, 2017
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Young Leaders facilitate!

After successfully facilitating our weekend workshops at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, our Young Leaders have expanded their reach, facilitating at The New York Historical Society, 80th Street Residence and The Jewish Home this year. Well done!

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We Celebrate Natalie!

After helping to launch, grow and sustain Sweet Readers London, Natalie is about to take maternity leave! We wish Natalie all the best, look forward to welcoming her back in February and welcome Jenny to join Nicholas while Natalie is away. Happy Spring!

April 11, 2018
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Happy 90th Birthday to Elsa!

Sweet Readers wishes Elsa P. a wonderful year ahead! We are delighted to have her as a vibrant member of the Sweet Readers family!

November 20, 2017
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Make-A-Stand/Take-A-Stand (MAS/TAS) a big success!

A big thank you to all of the Sweet Readers and their friends and families who pitched in to make MAS/TAS a big success this year – in conjunction with Global Youth Service Day!! Thank you Youth Service America for making Sweet Readers one of your Lead Agencies!

April 22, 2018
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Sweet Readers expands in London!

In 2016 we launched Sweet Readers London with Alleyn’s Sweet Readers at Castlebar Care Home. 18 months after the pilot the community has expanded 700% and under the guidance of Natalie and Nicholas, the community is now self-sustaining and poised to expand Sweet Readers to other communities in London!

October 11, 2017
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