Increase Child Literacy Across Austin with BookSpring

Texas has a lot to be proud of. We have a booming economy, a rich history, and some of the greatest people you’re likely to meet. Despite all of the great qualities of the Lone Star State, we have a number of issues that need addressing.

One of these problems is the staggeringly low literacy rates in Texas cities. Roughly twenty percent of Austinites cannot read a newspaper. Luckily, we have connected with a group of people dedicated to solve this problem.

With your help, we can help eliminate illiteracy in Austin.

BookSpring: Reading Is Fundamental

Kids who cannot read well by the fourth grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. This is a dangerous trap for young Texans preparing to enter the workforce. There is hope, though. A group of literacy warriors at BookSpring have been combating this problem at its source. BookSpring reaches out to low-income communities and gives children the opportunity to fall in love with reading.

BookSpring’s “Reading Is Fundamental” program combines multiple strategies to improve child literacy. Illiteracy can often be a problem for children without access to reading materials. Libraries and book stores can simply be too out of reach. To solve this problem, BookSpring accepts book donations and distributes them to children and families. By partnering with schools, faith-based organizations and more, BookSpring donated over 120,000 books to children in 2012 alone!

I cannot say enough good things about this group. Not only do they give books to disadvantaged children, but they also inspire them to read in their free time! Volunteers build bookshelves for disadvantaged schools and lead book clubs whenever possible. Along every step of a young Austinite’s life, BookSpring is there to give him the passion and resources it takes to succeed in the twenty-first century.

Reach Out and Read

BookSpring goes beyond directly donating books to children and families. The organization has partnered with physicians. Between the ages of six months and five years, children are given a new book every time they visit the doctor.

Research has shown that 96% of young children visit their pediatrician annually. Imagine giving children in low-income families new ways to learn and grow with every visit. As the Reach Out and Read program becomes more ingrained in the Austin medical industry, an increasing number of kids get access to reading tools they would otherwise not receive. Children are not only taught the pleasure and value of reading, but they are also much more likely to enter kindergarten at the average reading level.

This is the most wonderful thing I do in pediatrics. Second to the immunizations and protection from disease, this is a game changer for our families. I give nightly thanks that I am allowed to participate in such a wonderful program. –Pediatrician, Children’s Wellness Center

How Can I Help?

Reading Is Fundamental

If reading is a passion that has made you who you are, why not share that gift with a child in need? An ideal volunteer for Reading Is Fundamental loves to:

• Get Excited About Reading: Do you remember how it felt watching Hogwarts rise over the lake the first time? Maybe you still think back to Scout Finch unravelling the story of Boo Radley. If so, you may be the one to inspire children who need it most.
• Volunteer During School Hours: If you have free time during normal school week hours, there are hundreds of kids you could reach. This is your opportunity to make school more like what you wished it was as a child!

If you think you can help out, click here!

Reach Out and Read

Would you like to help increase literacy across Austin, but you can’t make it to volunteer in schools? Volunteering for the Reach Out and Read program may be for you.

• Conduct a Book Drive: Book drives are great for bringing your group or business together. They give you the opportunity to get involved in the community in a tangible way. You can’t increase literacy without books to read, so grab your friends or coworkers and keep Austin reading.
• Sort or Deliver Books: Reach out and Read cannot function without passionate volunteers – volunteers just like you! Depending on how you choose to help out, you can either organize or deliver books! You can help out behind the scenes to push down illiteracy.

If you think you can help out, click here!

Spread the Word

There are a few ways you can help tell Austin about this amazing organization. Like BookSpring on Facebook! If Twitter is more of your style, go ahead and follow them! Send out a tweet or status update and let the world know about your support.

While, you’re at it, you can go ahead and follow me also.

 

@DustyVegas asks:

What does reading mean to you?