Newark, NJ – February 4, 2016 – The My Very Own Library (MVOL) organization has made a book donation to help Marley Dias reach her mission to collect #1000BlackGirlBooks. MVOL (via the Foundation for Newark’s Future – [FNF]) spent $5,000 to help donate 1,000 books to Marley’s social action project. The first gift of 400 books is to help her meet the February 1 goal for Jamaica – that will be delivered to the GrassROOTS Community Foundation (GCF) directly.
“At Scholastic, we know how critically important it is for all children to have access to books they want to read,” said Alan Boyko, President of Scholastic Book Fairs. “Through working with literacy advocates and organizations like Marley and My Very Own Library, Scholastic is able to ensure all children have the opportunity to discover the power and joy of reading and connect with books and characters personally.”
In addition to the 400 books, per Marley’s request – MVOL, through FNF & Scholastic Book Fairs, is also donating 600 Books to St Cloud Elementary School, Marley’s old school in West Orange where Marley first identified the lack of diverse books and books with African American girls as main characters. Scholastic is also donating 1,000 more multicultural books to Speedway Academies and 5 different titles from a list she provided.
“For the past five years, the Foundation for Newark’s Future has worked to build a culture of literacy in Newark through our support of impactful initiatives that provide access to books and promote the tools and resources for Newark families to read together at home. As we transition our work to the community and its many education advocates, we are heartened that people like Marley are carrying the torch for literacy in the city and that the initiatives we leave behind – like My Very Own Library and Raising a Reader – will continue to
reach thousands of students every year.” -Kimberly McLain, President and CEO, Foundation for Newark’s Future
The Speedway Academies donation will be presented by MVOL, FNF, and Scholastic at GCF’s “Let’s Move It: Jersey!” Town Hall on Girls’ Health on February 20th, along with a book display at the event.
About GrassROOTS Community Foundation
The GrassROOTS Community Foundation (GCF) is a public health and social action organization that supports, develops and scales health and wellness programs for women and girls, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged. For more information, visit www.grassrootscommunityfoundation.org or follow online @grassrootsfound.
About FNF
Foundation for Newark’s Future is an education foundation working to improve educational outcomes for Newark students. The Foundation is part of a $200 million campaign for Newark’s public schools, established in 2010 with a $100 million matching grant from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and quickly met with a $25M investment by the Pershing Square Foundation, among others. The Foundation invests in programs and initiatives across Newark that create large-scale change through short-term philanthropy.
About My Very Own Library
My Very Own Library is a literacy program proudly supported by the family and friends of Anne Feeley (1954-2012) that encourages and supports students love of reading by providing them the opportunity to choose NEW books to build their very own home libraries. For inquiries or to make a donation, please e-mail us at info@nullmyveryownlibrary.org or visit us on the web at www.myveryownlibrary.org.
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, a leading provider of print and digital instructional materials for pre-K to grade 12, and a producer of educational and entertaining children’s media. The Company creates quality books and e-books, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, classroom magazines and other products that, in combination, offer schools customized and comprehensive solutions to support children’s learning both at school and at home. The Company also makes quality, affordable books available to all children through school-based book clubs and book fairs. With a 94 year history of service to schools and families, Scholastic continues to carry out its commitment to “Open a World of Possible” for all children. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.
About the United Way of Essex and West Hudson
Founded in 1923, United Way of Essex and West Hudson is a nonprofit organization that seeks to address the root causes of community concerns by aligning resources to best meet the needs of individuals, children and families through its service area annually. We serve a population of nearly 700,000 in thirteen communities in Essex and Hudson County. Visit www.uwewh.org.