Media contact:
Maureen Alley, communications director
608-513-3962
malley@wisconsinyouthcompany.org
Wisconsin Youth Company’s Takela Harper honored with Impact Partner Award
Recognition celebrates outstanding community members helping Madison Reading Project achieve its mission
Madison, Wisconsin (Thursday, November 13, 2025) — Wisconsin Youth Company is proud to share that Takela Harper, assistant director of neighborhood centers, was honored as one of the Impact Partner Award recipients by Madison Reading Project. Harper was celebrated alongside five other award winners at the Books Build Us event.
Madison Reading Project chose Harper because she has been a champion for literacy at Elver Park and Theresa Terrace Neighborhood Centers, developing successful literacy programs and working tirelessly to foster a culture of reading.
“It means a lot to be recognized,” Harper says. “Knowing that an outside organization can look at me and say, ‘Not only does she do work for the neighborhood center children but also, children outside of that in the community, and she advocates for them to read and have new experiences’.”
Harper started coordinating activities and events with Madison Reading Project for Theresa Terrace Neighborhood Center in 2020 to provide children with literacy opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has coordinated for Elver Park Neighborhood Center since 2023.
She says she loves the excitement After School children have when Madison Reading Project is at their program.
The children enjoy when Madison Reading Project staff read to them. After readings, they do a literacy/STEM project related to the story. The children finish their time together with a new, free book and craft project they can take home.
Harper also coordinates with Madison Reading Project to attend community events hosted by the neighborhood centers, including the annual Back2School Block Party and the annual Trunk or Treat event. Madison Reading Project distributes free books to children through their mobile book bus at these events.
“It’s really a community effort,” Harper says. “Their impact goes beyond the children we serve at the neighborhood centers.”
Harper says she is excited to continue building her relationship with Madison Reading Project.
“I am passionate about literacy,” Harper says. “Helping bridge the gap with readers and the kids is something I am excited to continue into the future.”
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