Nonprofit Reading Power Launches Book Buddies Program to Boost Home Libraries During Pandemic
"Elementary schools are suffering an education tsunami right now," says early childhood reading expert Ann Bates, EdD, co-author of The Complete Guide to Tutoring Struggling Readers, and a member of Reading Power's Board of Directors. "COVID-19 caused schools to close in March, separating children from their school communities and resources during a typically critical growth time in the school year."
While experts predict a "summer slide" of learning every summer they're particularly concerned about learning loss in underserved school districts during what will likely be a six-month break from school.
In response, Reading Power, a nonprofit literacy organization that provides one-to-one tutoring to children in North Chicago and Zion, has been pouring literacy resources into the community to combat a significant slide, and has pivoted to online tutoring with children already in our program.
Reading Power is also spending more on delivering quality, age-appropriate books to children who may not have books at home to read. It is estimated that 61 percent of America's low-income children are growing up in homes without books. Providing high quality, high interest books to children in low-income homes can help break the link between poverty and poor academic outcomes.
Introducing the Reading Power Book Buddies Program!
Book Clubs and individuals throughout the North Shore are stepping up to help by making donations of $15 to purchase books for children's at-home libraries.
Books are chosen by Reading Power's professional educators who take special care to ensure the new books are high quality literature, and age appropriate. Since our work is done in underserved communities of predominantly Black and brown people, we are also committed to choosing books for our students that reflect themselves, their families and communities.
"Reading literature that reflects diversity allows all children to see possibilities," says Director of Programs Lisa Bulzoni. "All children deserve to see characters in books that look like them doing normal and extraordinary things."
And in an effort to support local businesses at this time, books are being purchased at the independent Lake Forest Book Store.
To learn more, visit www.readingpowerinc.org/donate where you can make a one-time, monthly, quarterly or annual donation of a book for a young child. Contact Nancy Duffy at Nancy.duffy@readingpowerinc.org to learn how your Book Club can support the Book Buddies Program.