Literacy Council partnership brings books to children in need

A local partnership will provide books to 50 low-income children Saturday, Oct. 10.

Press release from the Literacy Council:

There can be great joy found in ambling through a bookstore, browsing the shelves of a favorite genre, choosing a crisp, new book to purchase, and devouring it in the comfort of your home. This joy is available regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.

But for the 24% of Buncombe County children who live in poverty, bookstores and book ownership are unknown pleasures. A local partnership aims to provide these experiences to 50 low-income children on Oct. 10.

Thanks to a donation by community member Joel Adams, children involved with the Literacy Council’s Augustine Project will shop for and purchase a book of their choice at Malaprop’s, Asheville’s acclaimed local, independent bookstore. The Literacy Council will provide healthy snacks for the children while they shop, and Malaprop’s will schedule a local author to read to them.

Augustine Project students live in low-income families and read, write, and spell below grade level. Through the program, they are provided with a highly trained, personal tutor, who provides two lessons each week at the child’s school. Last year, every post-tested student improved scores by at least one grade level and 84% improved scores by more than one grade level. These students are attaining the literacy skills they need to be successful in school, as well as increasing their enjoyment of reading and overall self-confidence.

On Saturday morning, 50 children will browse shelves of fiction, history, science, fantasy…. They will – many for the first time – choose whatever book strikes their fancy. That afternoon, 50 children will curl up at home with their very own new book, and the ability to read it.

To learn more about the Literacy Council’s Augustine Project, visit www.litcouncil.com.