First Book

Y’all probably already know about First Book, but just in case you don’t, it’s a nonprofit organization that provides to schools and programs serving children from low-income families. I believe that programs need to serve at least 80% children from low-income families to receive free books.

Regionally First Book efforts are coordinated by committees of volunteers called Advisory Boards. There are two in Connecticut; greater Hartford and Fairfield. Contact them by email, below at greater_hartford@firstbook.org and fairfield_ct@firstbook.org.

Libraries are among the types of agency eligible to register to receive free books, but think this is an ideal way to bring something to the table to your partner agencies.Who might those be, you ask? I'm glad you asked.

Potential Partners

Afterschool programs

Charter and non-charter schools or classrooms

Arts/museum programs

Childcare programs

Community Centers

Corrections/Judicial/Incarcerated Parents

Early Childhood

Emergency/Relief Services

Foster Care/Group Homes

Health Services

Literacy Organizations

Military Support Programs

Nutrition/Food Programs

Parent Education/Family Programs

Recreation Programs

You might already be affiliated with organizations like these, which First Book recognizes:

Big Brothers / Big Sisters

Boys & Girls Clubs

Catholic Charities

Head Start

Jumpstart

Junior League

Kiwanis International

National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL)

National Council of La Raza (NCLR)

National Education Association (NEA)

Parent Child Home Program

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

Parents as Teachers

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF)

The Salvation Army

United Way / Success By Six

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

YMCA / YWCA

Youth Service America (YSA)

Zero To Three