Aslan Yates
R.E.A.D. initiative mission statement:
To inspire readers, bring communities together, and improve the literacy rates in book deserts.
Statistics:
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21% of adults read below a 5th Grade level.
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19% of high school graduates can’t read.
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33% of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of 4 grade will end up in jail or on welfare.
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Only 36% of fourth graders in the US are proficient in reading
A book desert is defined as a geographic area with limited access to age-appropriate books, print materials, and reading culture.
In Georgia, 76.4% of the adult population has below basic literacy skills.
Little Free Library book-sharing boxes improve book access and helps tackle low literacy.
Reading is good for all ages and can be fun.
What I do with the R.E.A.D. initiative:
I started by stocking local Little Free Libraries and have recently built some of my own.
I sell R.E.A.D. awareness bracelets. The proceeds go to buying material to build Free Little Libraries and books to stock them.
I also volunteers to read to younger kids in homeschool group, in libraries, and at after school programs. I have started a YouTube channel to read bed time stories.
You can purchase a R.E.A.D. bracelet to help the R.E.A.D. initiative.
How you can help the on your own:
Keep local Little Free Libraries stocked. Place a LFL at your home or business for others to visit and exchange books. You can also volunteer your time as a reading tutor.
