Lectura Lounge fosters literacy, language, and community in Summit County

A volunteer at Lectura Lounge reads with two young participants during a Reading Buddies session. The Park City nonprofit offers a cozy, inclusive space where kids can explore books, build literacy skills, and form meaningful connections. Photo: Lectura Lounge

PARK CITY, Utah — Inside a cozy room filled with overstuffed couches, colorful rugs, and rows of children’s books, a quiet revolution in reading is underway.

Lectura Lounge, which opened its doors in January 2024, is more than a place for children to read. It’s a vibrant community hub, rooted in literacy, multilingualism, and a surprising dose of canine companionship.

At the heart of the space is co-founder Maritza Roño Refuerzo, who, along with co-founder Ray Refuerzo, established Casey & Charley’s Foundation for Dogs and Kids in 2015. The foundation’s mission — to support language and arts enrichment for children and promote the physical and emotional well-being of dogs — found new life in Park City through the creation of Lectura Lounge.

“I had always envisioned a space where we could just relax and read after school — something between a library and a coffee shop, but for kids,” said Refuerzo. “During the pandemic, we saw how disconnected our community had become. People were isolating, even in tight-knit neighborhoods. We wanted to rebuild those connections.”

The vision for the Lounge was sparked by Refuerzo’s experience in San Francisco, where her children attended a dual-language immersion school. She was particularly inspired by Compadres de Lectura, a program at Dolores Huerta Elementary, where volunteers read with students in their dominant language — promoting both literacy and cross-cultural friendship.

“We never got to attend the program because my boys were busy with music and martial arts,” said Refuerzo. “But I saw photos in the school newsletter. It looked magical — literacy, community, and multilingualism all in one.”

When her husband was laid off from his second job in Utah, the longtime dream took form. “I told him, ‘Let’s open a reading lounge and run a Reading Buddies program like the one we missed in San Francisco.’”

Today, the Lounge hosts programs like Reading Buddies, DivertiMOs, and the Witty Writers Workshop. The latter, partially funded by Summit County’s RAP tax, supports teens and adults of all abilities, including those with special needs. One 16-year-old participant told Refuerzo the group felt like a second home.

Claire Trapp, a board member and parent, sees the impact firsthand. “My son is dyslexic,” she said. “He’s not the strongest reader, but when he comes here, he’s surrounded by cheerleaders. Reading is fun. He even started reading with a French-speaking child. Now he’s asking to learn French.”

The Lounge’s whimsical decor — featuring donated furniture and dog-themed accents — reflects Refuerzo’s love of books and dogs. “Casey and Charley were our first babies,” she said of the two rescue dogs the foundation is named for. “I never thought I could have children because of cancer, so we poured ourselves into our dogs and the causes that helped them.” The Lounge occasionally hosts emotional therapy dogs during reading sessions and hopes to expand that offering in partnership with local animal support organizations.

All programs — including meals — are offered at no cost to families. “That was really important to me,” Refuerzo said. “There’s food insecurity in every community. In San Francisco, free pizza was enough to bring families in. Then we got them reading.”

To meet growing demand and secure long-term sustainability, Lectura Lounge recently became its own 501(c)(3) public nonprofit. The move enables the organization to seek grants, receive donations, and participate in local fundraising events like Live PC Give PC.

“We’re asking the community to help keep this going,” said Refuerzo. “Whether that’s narrating stories, volunteering at programs, or simply spreading the word — we want everyone to know they’re welcome here.”

Lectura Lounge continues to offer tutoring, storytelling, bilingual activities, and a sense of warmth that’s hard to miss. “It’s like a living room with books,” Trapp said. “You just curl up and connect. That’s it. And it’s magical.”

For more information or to get involved, visit www.lecturalounge.org.