Kids to Kids is a children's literacy project sponsored by Spread the Word Nevada. Learn more about our Board of Directors.

Our Mission

"Spread the Word Nevada: Kids to Kids is dedicated to advancing early childhood literacy by placing books into the hands and homes of children within Southern Nevada's at-risk, low income communities. Through community collaboration, mentorship and family partnership programs, Kids to Kids fosters reading and language development opportunities ultimately leading to brighter academic and economic futures for these children. We are dedicated to changing the lives of our at-risk children, one book at a time."

Learn more about the staff members that make Kids to Kids such a success. Or click here to read about some of our programs.

Public libraries are essential centers of learning, but access to books at the library is not enough. The ownership of books is a critical factor in every child's intellectual development. Young children who own books will read them over and over again, memorizing the stories and learning to follow and identify the words on each page. Kids to Kids puts books into the homes of youngsters and gives them the opportunity to develop their own personal library collections for use at home. These books are kept and treasured.

The flagship program of Kids to Kids distributes books in elementary schools throughout Southern Nevada (see a list of the participating schools in the sidebar, right).

Learn more about our programs and activities:

Cleaning Parties
Breakfast With Books
Books & Buddies

Read some of the letters from our kids, and our community partners.

During the initial distribution at an adopted school, all pre-kindergarten through 5th grade students receive a canvas tote bag that serves as a "safe-keeping" place for storing their book collections. Five new or gently used books are selected at this kick-off celebration, and then, once a month, one additional book is selected to add to their libraries. If children tire of their books, or outgrow them, they may trade them for other, more appealing or appropriate, titles.

We're so honored to have been recognized for our work on behalf of children!

In 2009: The Las Vegas City Council proclaimed March 4, 2009, Spread the Word Nevada: Kids to Kids Day at a special ceremony. Read about it.

In 2008: Spread the Word Nevada: Kids to Kids was named "Nonprofit of the Year" by In Business Las Vegas Magazine as part of its 2008 Angel Awards. Learn more.

In 2006: Kids to Kids received the Governor's Points of Light Award. The award recognizes organizations for their dedication, commitment, and determination in promoting and supporting volunteerism throughout the state. Kids to Kids won in the category of "Nonprofit Agency/Service Organization."

In 2005: the Nevada Community Foundation recognized Spread the Word Nevada as "Outstanding Charity of the Year" for the organization's work to encourage and promote a love for reading among Nevada's elementary school children through its Kids to Kids program.

Kids to Kids is proud to work with many generous community partners and sponsors. Through these partnerships, books get into the hands of the children who most need them.

Kids to Kids operates under Spread the Word Nevada. The nonprofit corporation, as a whole, is managed by dedicated leaders:

Laurie Hartig, Founder and Director of Programs
Lisa Habighorst, Executive Director

The program is governed by an experienced Board of Directors. Learn more about our Board.

When Kids to Kids was established, little did we know that in addition to having an impact on the lives of children at adopted schools, the Kids to Kids program would touch literally tens of thousands of additional lives:

the youngsters who give up their books to help others
the senior citizens who come to depend on the social interaction enjoyed while cleaning and repairing the books
the intellectually challenged young adults who beam with pride over their jobs as "book cleaners"
the scouts, church groups, community organizations, school groups, and junior and senior honor societies who plan and carry out book drives and cleaning and sorting duties
the volunteers who see the transformation in children's faces as they select the very first book they can call "their own"
the police officers who have children in high crime neighborhoods approach them not in fear but in friendship to ask for books to take home and keep
the parents and siblings who celebrate the joy of reading or even learn to read or speak English through the
Kids to Kids home libraries and programs

You can participate by donating the gently used books your family no longer reads. Hold a book drive in your neighborhood or through a local community organization. Become a volunteer, or send a tax deductible donation.

Show your support by downloading our official Kids to Kids desktop wallpaper. Find out more.

Contact us to get involved!

Find Out More About Kids to Kids

 

Our Books...Are an Open Book

We take pride in how we manage our finances, ensuring that donations are utilized responsibly. If you're curious about how we manage our books, download our IRS Form 990 here (pdf format, 1.9 MB).

Our Wish List

Help us help children by donating something on our Wish List.

Kids to Kids Book Collection Sites:

Barnes and Noble Booksellers
(all Henderson and Las Vegas locations)

The Dance Zone
(11221 S. Eastern Ave., #100, Henderson)

Fletcher Jones Imports (7300 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas)

Kumon Math & Reading Centers (all Southern Nevada locations)

Liberty Tax Service (4458 N. Rancho or 3319 S. Maryland Parkway)

Mathnasium (1990 Village Center Circle, #10 and Tenaya Village, 7240 Azure Dr., #120, Las Vegas)

Periwinkle Cottage (503 Hotel Plaza, Boulder City)

Plaza Realty (581 Hotel Plaza, Boulder City)

PostNet
(209 S. Stephanie St. at Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite B, Henderson)

Providence Master Planned Community
(Information Center, 7051 N. Hualapai Way, Las Vegas)

Tower of Jewels
Galleria Mall (upstairs, next to Macy's), Henderson; Rampart Commons (behind P.F. Chang's, next to Nora's), Las Vegas

Kids to Kids has adopted these schools into the program:

Jack Dailey Elementary (May, 2010)
Ruby Thomas Elementary (Apr., 2010)
C.C. Ronnow Edison Elementary (Dec., 2009)
Dean Petersen Professional Development School (June, 2009)
Elbert Edwards Elementary School (December, 2008)
C.T. Sewell Elementary School (March, 2008)
Paul E. Culley Elementary (October, 2007)
100 Academy of Excellence (May, 2007)
Myrtle Tate Elementary (January, 2007)
Whitney Elementary School (April, 2006)
Jay Jeffers Elementary School (December, 2005)
Fay Herron Elementary School (April, 2004)
Indian Springs Elementary School (September, 2003)
Lois Craig Elementary School (April, 2003)
Twin Lakes Elementary School (October, 2002)
Rex Bell Elementary School (March, 2002)
Paradise Professional Development School (November, 2001)
Robert Taylor Elementary School (June, 2001)
Elaine Wynn Elementary School (May, 2001)
C.P. Squires Elementary School (March, 2001)
Sunrise Acres Elementary School (February, 2001)

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