WGBH and Massachusetts Campaign for Grade Level Reading Partner for Book Distribution Program

BOSTON, September 29, 2016 – Public media leader WGBH has partnered with Strategies for Children, the Massachusetts lead for the national Campaign for Grade Level Reading (CGLR) on a free book distribution program designed to support the CGLR’s objective of getting all kids in the community reading at grade level by third grade.

The project is funded through a generous grant from long-time WGBH supporter, the Krueger Charitable Foundation, a key partner in WGBH’s community outreach work.  Since the project’s inception, The Krueger Charitable Foundation has made it possible for WGBH to purchase more than 200,000 books and distribute them to vulnerable children and families across Massachusetts.

“Public media can play an important role in keeping children excited about learning, especially during the summer months when school is out and many of our most vulnerable families lack access to educational programs,” said Mary Haggerty, WGBH Director of Media Engagement.  “Through the free distribution of new books, selected by community leaders that know their children best, and access to engaging hands-on activities from WGBH’s iconic children’s series, we hope to put the brakes on the ‘summer slide.’”

Amy O’Leary, director at Strategies for Children said, “Reading proficiency by third grade is the most important predictor of high school graduation and career success and we know boosting all children's reading takes a multi-pronged approach. Increasing access to books for young children and families is an important part of this effort and we are grateful to WGBH for this partnership.”

Ralph Smith, managing director of the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, said “combatting the summer slide matters because a century of research shows it’s one of the biggest but least addressed contributors to the achievement gap. Community driven solutions that leverage the power of public media, schools, housing and health agencies to reach struggling readers during the summer months are needed to assure they don’t return to school in August or September farther behind than when they left in May or June.”

Six Massachusetts communities have been selected to receive the grant—Boston, Holyoke, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Springfield, and Worcester—which will make possible the purchase and distribution of more than 15,000 new children’s books to vulnerable families.

In Worcester, more than 2,000 books will be distributed throughout the fall beginning on World Smile Day® on Friday, October 7th at the Worcester Historical Museum.  The free family celebration will include book reading, sing-along and a special appearance by Smiley, the World Smile Day® mascot.  In addition, children enrolled in Worcester Child Development Head Start, will receive a copy of A Cool Drink of Water, which connects to the program’s science curriculum. The Worcester Family Partnership will distribute books to young children at its playgroups and events including Worcester’s Farmer’s Markets and Wash-n-Play playgroups at local laundromats. Other programs involved in the book distribution include, Edward Street Child Services’ Book Buddies Program, Pernet Family Health Services, Southeast Asian Coalition, Africa Community Education and Latino Education Institute. Many books are dual language titles to support engagement by more families. 

“Sharing a story with a young child is an important way for children and parents to connect and build life-long habits of reading.  Just 20 minutes a day is all it takes to start a wonderful tradition.  We are so grateful to the Krueger Charitable Trust and WGBH for this amazing opportunity to get books into the hands and homes of Worcester’s children,” commented Kim Davenport, Co-Chair of Worcester Reads through Edward Street Child Services.