United Way of West Essex and Hudson

Newark Public Schools Teams Up with United Way of Essex & West Hudson, and Scholastic to Bring Author & Educator Sharon Robinson to Schools To Promote My Very Own Library Program

Daughter of the late Jackie Robinson visits three schools as part of national initiative

[Newark, NJ – June 20, 2017] Three Newark Public Schools hosted the United Way of Essex and West Hudson’s (UWEWH) My Very Own Library (MVOL) program, and author and educator, Sharon Robinson, daughter of the late, great Jackie Robinson on Friday, June 16.

Students at Hawkins Street School, Quitman Street School and Cleveland Elementary School were treated to day of reading as part of this national program, conducted in conjunction with Scholastic Book Fairs, a division of Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books. In talking with the students, Ms. Robinson shared her journey as an author, educator and daughter to one of the greatest American hero’s, Jackie Robinson.

Roger León, Assistant Superintendent of NPS said, “Thank you to the United Way, Scholastic, My Very Own Library and Ms. Robinson for bringing this special reading program to Newark Public Schools. My Very Own Library helps to further our mission of encouraging students to read.” Joining Assistant Superintendent Leon was Assistant Superintendent Erskine Glover, who added, “Having Ms. Robinson in the District and participating in My Very Own Library Program, provides a unique opportunity for our students to experience the joy of reading. This program launches summer reading in a way students will remember and appreciate.”

Sharon Robinson, daughter of baseball great and civil rights icon Jackie Robinson, is an acclaimed author of works of fiction and nonfiction as well as an educational consultant for Major League Baseball. She is the founder of Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life a baseball-themed national character education curriculum that helps empower students overcome obstacles in their lives. Robinson’s widely praised nonfiction books about her father, baseball legend Jackie Robinson, include Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson and Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America. Her other books include novels: The Hero Two Doors Down, Safe at Home, and Slam Dunk. Prior to joining Major League Baseball, Ms. Robinson was an educator and taught at Yale, Columbia, Howard, and Georgetown University. She currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

The partnership between NPS, UWEWH and MVOL allows students the opportunity to select three new children’s books at three special Scholastic book fairs, three times a school year.

“We are thrilled that Sharon Robinson is visiting students in Newark,” said Catherine Wilson, President and CEO. “This gives students an opportunity to not only connect with an author, but a woman whose family has made an indelible mark on African-American History. Our students are incredibly lucky to be able to learn from Ms. Robinson and connect her to their reading experiences.”

The My Very Own Library Organization Makes Major Book Donation to #1000BLACKGIRLBOOKS

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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.

GrassRootsLogo-web-9About 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.

fnf_logo_final_071712About 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.

PrintAbout 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.

ScholasticAbout 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.

UnitedWayAbout 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.

NPS and United Way Team Up for City Wide Literacy Engagement Program Events

An ambitious initiative to encourage literacy and build community has come to fruition with the launch of Little Free Libraries, a free book exchange program taking place in locations across the city. The five wooden mini-library structures were built, painted and installed by construction and art students at Newark Leadership Academy.Collaborating with The United Way of Essex and Hudson, the City of Newark, The Trust for Public Land and community groups, Newark Public Schools launched the Little Free Libraries at Jesse Allen Park on National Summer Learning Day in June to encourage students to continue reading, even when schools are out.

“A lot of children have no books at home, so this will make a big difference,” said Louise A.Spencer School third grade literacy teacher Brooklyn Holt, as her students clamored to read the titles of the books on display in the park. One boy said he liked to read about dinosaurs, and also snails, worms and slugs. A girl said she liked princess, science and social studies books. Other students offered up their favorites: mystery, adventure, fantasy, scary, funny. The ribbon-cutting event additionally attracted members of the surrounding community who shared the children’s enthusiasm for the Little Free Libraries program. One passerby, Kenneth Gaskins – enjoying his day off from his job with Clean & Green – took it upon himself to sweep the area around the new library structure and point out that he loves to read, especially love stories with happy endings.

Literacy is critical to academic and life success. It is a fact that one in six children who are not reading proficiently by third grade will not graduate from high school on time – a rate which is four times higher than that of proficient reader. (Annie E. Casey Foundation).

Little Free Libraries have been built in countries throughout the world as a resource designed to increase literacy and instill a love of reading in children, families and the surrounding community. The Newark Little Free Libraries, which were funded by the United Way of Essex and West Hudson, are located at the following community garden, early childhood centers and parks:

  • Jesse Allen Park – 41 Avon Avenue
  • Early Childhood School West – 26 Speedway Avenue
  • Hope Garden – 260 Bergen Street
  • River Front Park – Raymond Boulevard/Somme Street
  • Sarah Ward Nursery – 27 Jay Street
NJ.COM: Literacy programs keep kids learning during summer vacation
By: Peggy McGlone/For The Star-Ledger , July 3, 2014
The children’s room at the Hillsborough Public Library was teeming one recent morning with young readers, some holding books, some with their new summer reading club logs, others scrambling to pull their next story from the shelves.
Newark Pulse: More Free Little Libraries
By: Newark Pulse, June 27, 2014
Last Friday, June 20, in collaboration with Newark Public Schools (NPS), United Way of Essex & Hudson, City of Newark and the Trust for Public Land put up five new wooden mini-library structures. The mini libraries were built, painted and installed by NPS construction and art students who attend Newark Leadership Academy.

Hundreds of Children and Parents Attend Family Preschool Night at The Newark Museum

It was an evening of excitement and wonder as 885 children and adults gathered for this year’s Newark Public Schools Family Preschool Night at The Newark Museum. Preschoolers, their siblings and parents streamed into the museum on the evening of June 13 for the second annual family night.

Public television’s Thomas the Tank Engine characters and friends were there to greet the children, as they participated in activities at the Museum’s interactive exhibits and other hands-on family fun. To add to the excitement, there were free books, free raffles and prizes.

Hosted by the Newark Public Schools Office of Early Childhood Education, the event’s collaborative partners included The Newark Museum, United Way of Essex and West Hudson, the Nicholson Foundation, WNET Thirteen, HIT Entertainment and Jumpstart. Representatives from these and various other organizations that support early childhood education joined NPS staff in volunteering for the evening.As well as promoting educational and fun summer programs, the event was designed to provide families with information on community based resources available to them, in addition to advice on preventing their children from experiencing summer learning loss.

Thanks to Early Childhood staff who worked hard to promote the Night at the Newark Museum event, along with parent liaisons at schools and family workers at the child daycare centers, hundreds of Newark children and families spent a memorable evening discovering that learning can be fun.

Press

Streetinsider.com: Nicholson Foundation Grant Brings Creative Play to Newark Museum, Community

By: The StreetInsider
July 19, 2014

A grant from the Nicholson Foundation will enable the Newark Museum to offer new educational programs to young learners (ages 3-5) and their families in Newark and the surrounding communities. The Museum is the only institution in Newark that provides access to works of art, a natural science collection, and cultural and historic artifacts that stimulate curiosity and learning.