Support Equity Through Literacy

Many studies refer to Los Angeles as a "book desert." Meaning, many children don't have regular access to books at home or in their communities, and primarily depend on books from school. Additionally, children are also missing the incredibly beneficial and long-lasting effects of having a loved-one read to them without access to books in their household. These "book deserts" tend to be in marginalized communities. Reading regularly not only supports children's traditional literacy skills, such as reading and reading, but it promotes language development, oracy skills, and exposure to communities and worlds outside of their own. With the extended closures of schools across Los Angeles, the inequities in technology availability ( as of 9/15/20, The L. A Times reports about 50,000 children in Los Angeles are still without internet or computer access), children need to have books in their hands to continue fostering their literacy skills. Children need access to books at home now more than ever.

By the end of October, we will have organized book distributions in Hawthorne, Pico/Union, South LA, and Leimert Park and distributed 700 backpacks with over 1600 books. Additionally, via our social media platforms, we provide family-centered literacy strategies to support literacy development at home. 

We are asking for $5000. This will help us provide access to books for 1000 children between now and the end of the 2020-2021 school year. By donating, you will provide access to stories and support language development for children and families in need of books at home. Any little bit counts; for every $5 donated, we can fill a backpack with at least two age-appropriate books, pencils, notebooks, and pens or crayons. We profoundly appreciate any help you can provide!