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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
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