📚 Why Literacy Matters for Youth
Literacy is the foundation for all learning.
Children who can’t read proficiently by 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out of school later on.
— Annie E. Casey Foundation
Literacy builds self-confidence and critical thinking.
Strong readers are more likely to excel academically, make better decisions, and feel empowered to express themselves.
Low literacy is tied to poverty and limited opportunities.
85% of youth in the juvenile justice system are functionally illiterate.
— National Assessment of Adult Literacy
Literacy increases earning potential and job readiness.
Adults with strong reading skills are more likely to obtain good jobs and break the cycle of poverty.
Reading helps improve mental health
Reading stories fosters emotional intelligence, resilience, and coping skills — especially important in underserved communities.
Children with access to books at home perform better.
Having as few as 20 books at home significantly boosts a child’s long-term academic success.
— University of Nevada, Reno study
🦏 Sponsor Books for Kids
Help us deliver these inspiring stories to underserved youth in schools, shelters, & community cente
- 25 books → $250
- 50 books → $500
- 100 books → $1,000
- 200 books → $2,000
Each donation helps put an inspiring story into the hands of a child who needs it.
(Donations are tax-deductible.)
