For Immediate Release
Spread the Word Nevada Launches Books on Break, a Summer Reading Program
This marks the fourth program under the children’s literacy nonprofit’s umbrella of services
Las Vegas – Henderson, NV (July 10, 2014) – Spread the Word Nevada (STWN), the largest children’s literacy nonprofit in the State – recently rolled out Books on Break, a summer reading program inspiring continued reading over the summer break. This marks the fourth program under the nonprofit’s mission. Other programs include: Kids to Kids, Breakfast with Books and Books & Buddies.
Books on Break serves at-risk youth between June – August at nearly 30 local community gathering sites selected through a partnership with Three Square Food Bank. The two nonprofits have joined forces to feed the children’s minds and bellies at approximately half of the Books on Break locations.
Each week, the STWN team arrives at a minimum of 15 sites to distribute books, lead a story time and encourage reading at home by tracking progress via a reading log. In its first two weeks, the program has already distributed more than 1,000 free books.
“The stakes for children who do not read over summer vacation are high,” said STWN Executive Director Lisa Habighorst. “Substantial research on this topic shows it’s usually the students who can least afford to lose ground as readers who are most likely to suffer from summer reading loss and fall far behind their peers.”
According to McGill-Franzen, Anne and Richard Allington, “Bridging the Summer Reading Gap” Instructor, May/June, 2003 shows that on average, children from low-income families lose nearly three months of grade-level equivalency during the summer months each year, compared to an average of one month lost by middle-income children.
Books on Break and its sustainability is made possible by Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders grant, which is given to high-performing nonprofits across the nation that have made a significant impact addressing needs related to community development, critical needs, workforce development or education.
“At Bank of America, we know the importance of investing in our future,” said George W. Smith, Nevada President of Bank of America. “We are excited to help Spread the Word Nevada launch its Books on Break program, reach new children in our community and ultimately equip the next generation with the skills needed to flourish.”
To support the Books on Break program, Bank of America also held a month-long book drive at all Southern Nevada banking centers during the month of June.
About Spread the Word Nevada
Spread the Word Nevada, Inc., is a children’s literacy nonprofit, 501(c) (3) corporation, 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. While developing a love of reading, these libraries promote future academic achievement and self-confidence, which impacts lifelong success. Since 2001, Spread the Word Nevada has distributed more than 2.7 million gently used and new books to approximately 357,000 low-income youth in Southern Nevada. Please visit www.SpreadTheWordNevada.org to learn more about program details or call at (702) 564-7809. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
###
Media Contact
Vicki Soares
(702) 203-0002
Vicki@spreadthewordnevada.org