News Summary
Books Are Wings, a nonprofit organization, partners with United Way to tackle book scarcity in under-resourced households in Rhode Island. The initiative aims to foster a love for reading by distributing free books and creating home libraries. Recent statistics reveal that many children lack access to age-appropriate books, hindering their literacy and academic success. The organization distributes thousands of books annually and engages families through community events, highlighting the importance of equitable access to reading materials for all children.
Providence – Books Are Wings, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing literacy among children in Rhode Island, has partnered with the United Way to ensure that local children have access to free books. This initiative addresses the pressing issue of book scarcity in under-resourced households and aims to foster a love of reading by creating home libraries for children in need.
This week, the Providence Sunday Journal is spotlighting Books Are Wings, which works alongside schools, teachers, and community centers to administer literacy programs. As part of its mission, the organization believes that providing easy access to books positively impacts literacy, ultimately enriching the lives of children.
According to recent statistics, 61% of under-resourced households in Rhode Island do not have age-appropriate books at home, which is a significant barrier to achieving literacy. The situation poses challenges not only for reading proficiency but also for overall academic success. Research indicates that merely having 20 or more books at home can lead to children advancing three additional years in education.
Over the past year, Books Are Wings distributed more than 67,000 books with the support of 44 partner organizations. Success is measured not only in the quantity of books delivered but also through surveys that indicate increased reading frequency and family engagement. However, the organization faces challenges due to a funding environment that has seen cuts to educational programs, impacting initiatives such as Tale Mail, which supports early literacy for preschool-aged children.
The Tale Mail program has been expanded recently, serving almost 800 preschoolers this year with resources in both English and Spanish. It emphasizes culturally relevant materials to ensure children connect with what they read. Meanwhile, the Books All Year initiative aims to bolster home libraries by distributing four free books to children from underserved communities annually during read-aloud events at participating schools, including Baldwin, Anthony Carnevale, Nathanael Greene, and Cunningham Elementary Schools.
Books Are Wings primarily sources its books through a Community Donation Program, which accepts gently used books from the public, excluding textbooks. Through community engagement events featuring read-aloud sessions and crafts, families are encouraged to participate in the literacy journey, effectively making reading a family-centered activity.
Recent events, such as the literacy night at Agnes E. Little Elementary School, have provided opportunities for students and their families to engage with literature in fun and interactive ways. The organization highlights the transformational power of literacy, stating that access to books is crucial for a child’s future success.
Despite the progress made, the organization acknowledges the disparity in third-grade reading proficiency in Rhode Island, where only 37% of students read at grade level, with significant gaps noted among communities of color. Addressing these challenges is fundamental to Books Are Wings, as they strive to ensure that all children can thrive academically.
Books Are Wings continues to seek community involvement through donations and volunteer opportunities. They are particularly looking for support in organizing book drives and assembling literacy packages. Collection points for gently used and new books are available at Bank of Rhode Island branches around the state.
Volunteers interested in assisting can reach out to Books Are Wings for various supportive roles. Through community collaboration and a focus on equitable access to quality reading materials, Books Are Wings remains committed to fostering a love for reading among the children of Rhode Island, ensuring that every child has a chance to succeed.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New Commission Tackles Low Graduation Rates for Foster Youth
Launch of Rhode Island’s First Finance Lab by Webster Bank
Trump Administration to Release Over $6 Billion in Education Grants
Webster Bank Launches Finance Lab to Boost Youth Financial Literacy
Multistate Lawsuit Filed Against Trump Administration Over Education Funding Freeze
Rhode Island Energy Foundation Supports Local Nonprofits
Rhode Island Faces Education Funding Crisis Amid Federal Review
Monika Soban Recognized as Industry Leader at Business Women Awards
Interactive Learning Initiative Transforms Science Education
Brown University Implements Cost-Cutting Measures Amid Budget Deficit
Additional Resources
- Providence Journal: Books Are Wings Supports Reading Efforts
- Wikipedia: Literacy
- Providence Journal: The Work of Books Are Wings
- Google Search: Reading Initiatives Rhode Island
- RI Monthly: Local Charities for Giving Tuesday
- Google Scholar: Children’s Literacy Initiatives
- Valley Breeze: Books Are Wings Adds New Director
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Literacy
- Turn to 10: Cousins Collect Books for Donation
- Google News: Book Donation Initiatives Children
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
