Reading for Life is a narrative-based intervention that uses novels to facilitate virtuous character development in first-time offending juveniles. During the course of 12 weeks, students work in small groups with two mentors to select one or more books to read together; explore themes in these books around seven classic virtues: justice, prudence, temperance, fortitude, fidelity, hope, and charity; journal on their own experiences around these novel themes; engage in a community service project chosen as a group and supported by the novel’s narrative content; and present their work and development to their parents and mentors at final session.
Reading for Life works in conjunction with the University of Notre Dame, Institute for Educational Initiatives; and the St. Joseph County, Indiana, Juvenile Justice Center, Peter Morgan, J.D., Executive Director. Reading for Life is currently supported by grants from the Arete Initiative (University of Chicago), Florence V. Carroll Charitable Trust, Stanley A. & Flora P. Clark Memorial Community Trust Foundation, Muessel-Ellison Memorial Trust Foundation, and the John, Anna and Martha Jane Fields Trust Foundation, all managed by the Wells Fargo Trust Foundation.
For more history on the development of Reading for Life and information about its founders, click here
For a recent article by Dr. Alesha Seroczynski about Reading for Life and its mission, click here
