“Encourage today’s readers. Inspire tomorrow’s leaders.”
K is for Kids Foundation is a nonprofit organization that promotes children’s literacy and leadership. Our teens and volunteers teach kids that reading is fun. Each year we partner with community leaders to engage children early and often about the excitement of reading and the power of words. From toddlers to teens, K is for Kids’ mission is to give kids in need more books to read.To help close the knowledge and opportunity gap existing amongst children, K is for Kids offers three book donation programs and more to help encourage children to “power up with reading”. The results are encouraging: Our grant recipients have reported significant increases in the number of books students are reading!
Our grassroots cause is surging: Join K is for Kids today. Together, we will help students of all ages continue to see gains in literacy and leadership. Click here http://www.kisforkids.org/kids-we-help/ to see the kids you’ll be helping.
RISING READERS
Children of all ages receive new books to take home and keep
Working with Collier County Housing Authority Land, a nonprofit organization of the Farm Workers Village in Immokalee, children now benefit from two of K is for Kids’ programs, receiving new books to read and keep through Rising Readers, and having new bookshelves for their learning center through Building Book Nooks for Kids.
Rising Readers is K is for Kids newest literacy initiative, introduced in September 2011. This exciting initiative supports the efforts by media specialists, reading coaches, literacy and language arts educators to encourage students to read more while recognizing their reading achievements: When students reach their reading goals, they may choose a new book to read and keep. BONUS: Children are bringing literacy home to their mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters.
FRIENDS OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY
One book may be read by many students over many years, creating “bang for the book” by maximizing the book-to-reader ratio.
Friends of the School LibraryStudents in Immokalee rejoice in the arrival of brand new books that students requested for their school library. It’s a never-ending story: children love to read! They visit their school libraries in search of stories that will lead them on new adventures, where they can meet new friends, visit new worlds and explore new ways to think about the challenges they face
Friends of the School Library: K is for Kids’ roots first took with founder Karen Clawson began “raising” more books for her children’s elementary school library in 2002, growing into a group of impassioned parents and community members. Friends of the School Library helps stock school libraries and sometimes teachers’ classroom libraries.
Bonus — “Bang for the book.” One book may be read by many children over many years when placed into a shared reading environment, maximizing the book-to-reader ratio. It’s a smart investment in the educational enrichment of our communities’ children.
Bonus: “The trickle down effect.” Books donated that are not needed in circulation “trickle down” to teachers’ classroom libraries or given directly to students.
BUILDING BOOK NOOKS FOR KIDS
Giving kids in need books to read wherever they may be in the community.
K is for Kids launched its Bring a Book, Bring a Friend for Children’s Literacy Month in February 2011 by bringing books and authors to the children of Farm Workers Village in Immokalee, working with Collier County Housing Authority Land.
Building Book Nooks for Kids: Books and bookshelves are donated to other nonprofit organizations that offer shared reading environments for the children they serve. Students continue to reap the same benefits through preschool, after school, and summer programs.
BONUS: Children have increased access to books in and out of school.
YOUNG AUTHORS BOOKS
Children write a book together!
Above, our 2010 cover girl for K is for Kids’ second Young Authors Book. What does becoming a young author mean to the children? One mom called to report that her daughter’s passion for writing and sharing stories began when she became a K is for Kids’ author: “Aidan gets the highest scores possible. I attribute this to K is for Kids’ Young Authors book. Aidan loved being part of it!”
Young Authors Books: Each year children from all around the community are invited to come meet authors and then become an author themselves by writing a book together at the “Kids Celebrate Reading” Book Fair! Putting pen to paper to write their own personal page, the young authors also get to have their picture taken by a professional photographer to accompany their story.
BONUS: Children are learning how exciting books can be when they write the story! K is for Kids is helping sharpen youngsters’ writing skills.
TEEN VOLUNTEER AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The Teen Advisory Team: K is for Kids’ teen leaders, spokespersons and volunteers
A highlight of our fun’raising season this year was our fourth annual Bring a Book, Bring a Friend for Children’s Literacy Month. It began with proclamations by the Collier County Commissioners (first pic below) and Mayor Bill Barnett of Naples (pictured in the fourth photo below); and received recognition from Florida Governor Rick Scott.
Teen Advisory Team: K is for Kids’ primary volunteers* are high schools students in Collier County, Florida, who earn community service hours important for high school and college. The Teen Advisory Team is the energy and inspiration fueling our mission, giving kids in need more books to read! *K is for Kids also receives a boost from college interns from Florida Gulf Coast University.
K is for Kids’ teen spokespersons videotape PSAs (Public Service Announcements) to spread awareness of the need for more books for children to read and to promote their upcoming events. Each year, our teen leaders who serve on the Teen Advisory Team’s Advisory Council propose, plan, and execute the literacy events and activities to be held throughout the school year.
You can make a difference. Now.
Please join our circle of support today by bcoming a volunteer, donating a book or making a monetary contribution today!
For more information how you can help, contact the Foundation by email info@kisforkids.org or telephone 239.596.KIDS (5437)
