30 Years After Winning the Gold -- The Always Dream Foundation

Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream Foundation is focused on building awareness around the importance of in-home reading and on empowering low-income families with the tools necessary to level the playing field. We do this by providing access to high-quality books in the home via 21st century technology, all while engaging parents to become active participants in their child’s everyday learning.

When kids build a love of reading, they move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” This milestone is undeniably transformative, opening doors to new possibilities and dreams.

Kristi Yamaguchi is an Olympic Gold Medalist and two-time World Champion figure skater. She went on to become a member of the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame, World Figure Skating Hall of Fame, and the US Olympic Hall of Fame. Following a long and successful career in professional figure skating, Kristi took to the dance floor to win top honors with partner Mark Ballas on the popular TV show “Dancing With The Stars.” In 1996, she founded the nonprofit organization, Always Dream, whose mission is to ensure children from low-income families have access to high-quality books in the home environment and extensive family engagement support. Kristi added New York Times Best-Selling author to her list of achievements with three children’s picture books, “Dream Big, Little Pig!”, “It’s A Big World, Little Pig!” and “Cara’s Kindness.” Kristi resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Bret Hedican and their two daughters, Keara and Emma.