Free Books and Movies Help Coachella Valley Kids Build Reading Skills Through ‘Read With Me’ Program

A local nonprofit is partnering with Cathedral City to help Coachella Valley children strengthen their reading skills through a free, family-friendly program that depends on volunteers to keep running.

The Read With Me Volunteer Program, in partnership with the City of Cathedral City, is hosting an eight-week Free Summer Movie Series at Mary Pickford Theatre. The event combines free movies, free popcorn, and most importantly, free books for kids.

“Everybody gets to pick out two books, whatever two books you want,” said Erin Hyland, Chair of the Parks and Community Events Commission for Cathedral City and Community Engagement and Development for Read With Me. “It’s important because we believe leaders are readers. The more books we can get into the hands of kids, especially for free, the better.”

Children attending the event receive free popcorn and water courtesy of Dinner with Patsy, choose books in English or Spanish, and enjoy a story read on the big screen by the Cathedral City Library before the movie begins.

The program is designed not just as entertainment, but as a tool to help children build their own home libraries. If kids attend every week, they can collect up to 30 books by the end of the summer.

“Oh, it’s wonderful. Free books, free movie, free popcorn—everything you could ask for,” one parent shared. “It’s a great escape from the summer sun and a great resource for the community.”

For single parents like one mom at the event, the program offers more than just reading support. “It’s the perfect place to save money,” she said. “They get to read, they get to just enjoy life.”

Read With Me places volunteers in classrooms to help students with one-on-one reading support. The organization is actively seeking more volunteers to meet the growing need.

For information on volunteering or supporting Read With Me, visit ReadWithMeVolunteer.org. The program continues every Friday until school starts, helping children develop reading skills while connecting with the community.

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