You can help instill an excitement for reading in our most disadvantaged children - visit Why Donate to find out how!
Research has shown that simply giving children books may be as effective as summer school - and a lot cheaper. Over the last 20 years...low-income students simply have less access to print. Greg Toppo, USA TODAY
Whether rich or poor, residents of the United States or China, illiterate or college graduates, parents who have books in the home increase the level of education their children will attain. Mariah Evans, Research In Stratification and Mobility
61 percent of low-income families have no books at all in their homes for their children. Families living in poverty must use their financial resources to pay for food and shelter, not books. Reading Literacy in the United States
There is a common theme among our underperforming children - they don't own books. United States Department of Education
Books for America is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, DC that is having a huge impact on thousands of disadvantaged individuals in the Nation's Capital and throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Our mission is to promote literacy, life-long learning and understanding by distributing donated new and used books of all types and other forms of educational media to organizations serving disadvantaged communities and individuals.
Because we collect all types of books, we are able to provide books to people of all ages. This makes Books for America unique among most non-profit organizations in the United States. Recipients include adult and youth literacy programs, youth centers, transitional homeless shelters, hospitals, inner-city and rural schools, military bases, assisted living communities for seniors, veterans hospitals, women's shelters, hospices, and other such organizations.
We obtain needed items both from donation drives held in communities, and also directly from publishers. Items you wish to donate could also be shipped directly to us.
Books for America is making great strides in fighting illiteracy and increasing knowledge and understanding - but we need your help!
Books for America
1417 22nd St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
202.835.BOOK 202.835.2665
info@booksforamerica.org
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Latest News:
Most recently, we donated 4,131 books to Coffeewood Correctional Center in Mitchells, VA.
We delivered 283 books to Springbrook Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
We donated 594 books to Unity Health Care, Inc.
We delivered 100 books to the Center for Inspired Teaching.
Friendship PCS received 283 books.
We donated 456 books to Paul Public Charter School.
We delivered 299 books to Truesdell Elementary.
We delivered 125 books to Marumsco Hills Elementary.
Miriam's Kitchen received 144 books.
High Point High School (PGCPS) received 89 books.
We delivered 110 books to Reading Partners.
Steve Hersey, Founder of Books for America, is awarded The Christopher Corwin Celebration of Reading Award by Reach Out and Read of Metro DC. The Award recognizes the inspiring work of those who endeavor to bring the riches of books to children in need.
We delivered 6,100 books to Roosevelt Senior High School in Washington, DC to improve the school's library
BOOKS FOR AMERICA HAS DONATED:
2,000 children's books to Meridian Public Charter School and 1,000 books to Watkins Elementary School in DC to help build their reading and educational libraries.
950 children's reference and reading books DC Preparatory Academy to augment their library.
550 children's books to Little Lights Urban Ministry for use in their Reading Heroes program at the Potomac Gardens Housing Project in DC.
525 children's books to DC Coalition for the Homeless
320 children's books to the Coalition of Hope - a shelter in DC
10,000 adult novels to DC Parks & Recreation Commission in support of the city's literacy initiatives.
6,200 adult novels to the DC Correctional Facility to build a reading library for the inmates. Books for America will also supply the Facility with educational reference materials and textbooks.
1,450 children's books to the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute for children with developmental disabilities.
A collection of Washington history books to The City Museum of Washington, DC and the Washington Historical Society.
1,000 novels to McGuire Veterans Hospital in Richmond, VA to augment their nursing care patients' library.
425 children's reference and reading books to help Calvary Bilingual Multicultural Learning Center develop their resource library.
300 classics and reference books to Bell Multi-Cultural High School to supplement their school library.
875 books for toddlers to the Arlandria Health Clinic of Alexandria, VA to support their Reach Out and Read program for their local Latino community.
30 Children's and family-oriented videos to the Ronald McDonald Houses in Washington, DC and Fairfax, VA.
100 art books to WVSA Arts Connection for use in WVSA's art-focused programs for at-risk special needs
More than 5,000 children's books to Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care for distribution to the disadvantaged community served by the Center.
2,000 children's reference, classics and general reading books to the Metropolitan Police Boys & Girls Clubs to help the MPBGC implement an Award for Reading program.
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