United Way is collecting very-gently used and new children’s books for kids in Idaho, ages 0-18, March 1-28. This annual event will provide over 20,000 books to kids who need them the most.
- WHEN: MARCH 1-APRIL 4 to volunteer to clean, sort, and distribute books
- WHERE: 508 S. 8TH ST. Boise, ID
- WHY: To improve childhood literacy by getting high-quality books into the hands of kids
Literacy Is A Powerful Tool Against Poverty!
Up to 61% of low-income families do not have children’s books in their homes. Research has proven that kids are more successful at reading, and academically, if they have access to high-quality reading materials. Reading improves literacy, language, communication, creativity, and social skills.
Reading provides knowledge of a child’s world, stimulating their imaginations and helping them navigate the stresses in their lives. Children often identify with a character in a book, helping them become better problem solvers and more empathetic.
According to the Department of Justice, there’s a direct link between academic failure and delinquency, violence, and crime, and it’s linked to reading failure. If kids aren’t reading by the end of 3rd grade, they are 4X more likely to not graduate from high school! Another shocking statistic is that 85% of those in our juvenile justice system are functionally illiterate.
Who is going to receive the books that are donated for the book drive?
- Title One elementary schools & middle schools in Ada, Canyon, and Valley counties
- YMCA preschools and programs in Caldwell & Boise
- Boys & Girls Clubs in Boise & Garden City
- WICAP (Western Idaho Community Action Partnership)-covering areas in Gem, Washington, Payette, Valley, & Canyon counties
- EICAP (Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership)-covering areas in Eastern Idaho, including Bonneville County
- Head Start programs
- Early-learning and childcare centers
- Women’s shelter/justice center, such as Faces of Hope (crisis intervention services)
- Community health centers such as Terry Reilly Health Services serving Homedale, Caldwell, Nampa, Marsing, Melba, & Middleton
- Pediatric clinics such as St. Luke’s in Nampa & Caldwell
- Summer reading programs
- Ada County Juvenile Detention
- Full Circle Health FMRI (Family Medicine Residency of Idaho) in Nampa
- IPCA (Idaho Primary Care Association)-7 clinics in rural Idaho
- Farmway Village in Caldwell, providing Spanish and dual-language English & Spanish books
Donate your very-gently used or new children’s books to the book drive and/or click here to shop from our wish list at Rediscovered Bookshop in Boise.
At Book it Forward, we work with these organizations all year long and these kids really need and appreciate the books!
We all want every child to succeed in life, so let’s get these books into the hands of kids with little or no access to books!
