BookSpring is proud to announce that the The Moody Foundation has granted a $20,000 gift toward our ReadWell program, which aims to improve family literacy through book distributions at doctor’s offices. The goal is to transform the early childhood well check experience into a reading experience year-round for families.
ReadWell serves low-income, low-literacy families at the very earliest point in their child’s development. BookSpring partners with medical clinics that serve Austin’s families that are under insured, uninsured, or on Medicaid or Austin’s Medical Assistance Program at each well-child exam.
The participating pediatric medical providers give every child a new book to keep upon every visit. If a child begins the program at the 5 day old exam, he or she will have a home library of at least 13 books before entering kindergarten.
“In Austin, 87% of children in low-income neighborhoods enter kindergarten not ready to learn and without the basic language skills they will need to learn to read,” our research shows.
It is a troubling and persistent fact that two thirds of children in low-income homes do not have any access to children’s books. ReadWell ensures that poverty-stricken households are not deprived of the most essential tool for intellectual growth, books.
Within these participating clinics, children can find an abundant supply of developmentally appropriate books that they are encouraged to keep. Additionally, visiting parents can also gain access to referrals for community-based programming concerning adult literacy support.
Through the implementation of strategies such as these, ReadWell will continue to fight against increasing childhood illiteracy rates with the outstanding support from the Moody Foundation.
The Moody Foundation was established in 1942 as a means for W.L. Moody, Jr and Libbie Shearn Moody to share their good fortune with other Texans. Since its inception the foundation has awarded more than $1.2 billion grants throughout the state of Texas.
