From a Garage to 8 Million Books: How Lisa Habighorst Is Changing Nevada

<p>What started with books, a garage and a desire to help local kids has grown into one of Nevada&#39;s most impactful literacy organizations.</p><p><br></p><p>On this episode of Vegas Local Living, I sit down with Lisa Habighorst, Co-Founder and CEO of Spread the Word Nevada, to hear the incredible story behind the organization and how it grew from a grassroots idea into a statewide movement changing children&#39;s lives through literacy.</p><p><br></p><p>Lisa shares how her career as a teacher helped prepare her to lead a nonprofit, what those early years looked like working out of homes and storage containers, and what it takes to operate a nonprofit at this scale.</p><p><br></p><p>Today, Spread the Word Nevada serves children across Nevada through programs that put books directly into their hands and homes, provide reading mentors, and help parents introduce literacy at an early age.</p><p><br></p><p>We also talk about:</p><p><br></p><p>📚 How Spread the Word Nevada got started</p><p>🏠 The years Lisa spent running the organization from home</p><p>👧 Why owning a book can mean so much to a child</p><p>📖 The importance of letting children choose what they want to read</p><p>🏫 The literacy challenges facing Nevada schools</p><p>❤️ Why volunteers are so important to the organization</p><p>🤝 Their Books &amp; Buddies mentoring program</p><p>👶 How Readers in Training reaches children from birth to age 5</p><p>💼 Why a successful nonprofit still has to be run like a business</p><p>💰 The realities of fundraising and operating a major nonprofit</p><p>🚀 Where Lisa hopes to take Spread the Word Nevada next</p><p><br></p><p>One of my favorite parts of our conversation is hearing just how many different ways people can help.</p><p><br></p><p>You can donate books. You can volunteer to clean and prepare books. You can work in the warehouse. You can become a reading mentor. Or you can financially support the mission.</p><p><br></p><p>Spread the Word Nevada is also celebrating its 25th anniversary with a simple goal: $25 can help provide a child with their own home library of eight books.</p><p><br></p><p>Learn more, volunteer or donate:https://spreadthewordnevada.org/</p><p><br></p><p>If you enjoy learning about the people, businesses and organizations that make Las Vegas such a special place to live, make sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and follow Vegas Local Living for more conversations from around our community.</p><p><br></p><p>🎙️ Vegas Local LivingHosted by Jack Greenberg</p><p><br></p><p>Las Vegas continues to attract people relocating from across the U.S. because of the lifestyle, entertainment, tax advantages, and real estate opportunities.</p><p><br></p><p>👉 Thinking about buying or selling in Las Vegas?</p><p><br></p><p>My team and I help clients all over Nevada, and through our referral network, anywhere in the U.S.</p><p><br></p><p>🔗 Connect with me:</p><p>702.400.4400 | BS.0145963.LLC </p><p> The Jack Greenberg Group </p><p>huntington &amp; ellis, A Real Estate Agency</p>