Did you know that states plan the number of prison cells they will need in the future based on the number of children not reading at grade level by grade three?  And did you also know that reading to a child from birth can be a stronger predictor of academic achievement than family income?

The Berrien County Great Start Parent Coalition is holding a book drive during March to honor National Reading Month.  We’re collecting gently used books that will be donated to various literacy programs in the county (one being the Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary’s Red Wagon Project).  These programs strive to put books in the homes of children whose families can’t afford them.  Countless studies show that literacy programs not only impact reading and academic skills, but also support the development of social and interpersonal skills.  In addition, early literacy is shown to have a significant impact on reducing chronic generational poverty.

You can drop off books at any Chemical Bank location in Berrien County all through the month of March, or you can contact me (rachel.wade@uwsm.org) and I’ll be happy to take them.  Our group is really passionate about literacy, and we’re hoping to collect more books than these programs will even know what to do with.  So please help us out!