Kids Need to Read is known for giving books to schools and libraries that have no funds to buy new books for themselves. The foundation, however, also works to give new books directly to disadvantaged children through other established programs.
KNTR recently learned about the heroic, literacy-promoting efforts of the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic in Seattle, Washington. We were inspired by their dedication to encourage children of all ages to read and treasure books. Through their Reach Out and Read © Program (ROR), they are able to give new books to children between the ages of six months through five years at each well child check. Once a child turns six, they are no longer able to provide new books through ROR and rely solely on the generous support of individuals, companies and organizations. Kids Need to Read would like to help supply books for the clinic’s older children not served by ROR.
Antwanette Lyons, Community Care Coordinator for the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, explains how their program works:
“We generally only give new books out at each well child check, but many times a child that is familiar with our “book nook” will ask for a book, and we never turn them down. We are also able to give books to accompanying siblings who aren’t being seen for an appointment through the donations that we receive. The children are accompanied by their provider or medical assistant to the “book nook” at which time they are able to choose the book that is of most interest to them. We also have “book nooks” located in our mental health and dental departments that are run the same way.
We have come to have a reputation in the community for a place where children are able to come and receive a new or used book in order to build their own personal libraries at home, which we are extremely proud of. In 2006, we were awarded the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy for our work to reach low-income children most at risk of school failure by offering literacy guidance to the families in which we serve by promoting a reading culture. We are truly passionate about this work and continue to do what is necessary to ensure that we are able to keep up with this standard of literacy. We are able to store many of the books that we receive at an off-site storage, which never seems to be at capacity. Our goal is to be able to provide each child that comes through our doors a new book; but for now, we are pleased that we are able to provide them with a used book so they can continue to open their minds and imaginations to different worlds than they are used to.”
Kids Need to Read thanks the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic for providing such exemplary service to their community. We will dedicate the proceeds from our February fundraising to buy books for the children that Odessa Brown works so hard to assist. Our supporters can help by participating in our bi-weekly auctions, purchasing literacy-based merchandise at our Cafepress store (http://www.cafepress.com/kidsneedtoread), purchasing The Softwire packages or making a direct donation at www.kidsneedtoread.org. Please help us inspire imagination through the magic of books!
