Shine a Light: Empower Young Readers
Breaking barriers and educational disparities in low-income communities
A child’s “first book” is not necessarily their first reading experience – it is that first book that they connect with, which sets them on a lifelong path of learning and inspiration.
Necessity
Almost 25% of Canadian households don’t have a single book. Low literacy levels place children at a disadvantage that perpetuates poverty.
Activity
A local charity transforms the lives of low-income children in need by making brand-new, high-quality books affordable and available to the education.
Countable effort
First Book Canada Marketplace and Pop-Up Book Distributions, we effectively deliver resources to these low-income communities, from books to backpacks.
Result
Compared to last year, we’ll be doing an additional Pop-Up event to provide 60,000 books to teachers for their students.
Systemic effect
First Book Canada's GOOD DEED improves literacy, empowering children for long-term educational and social progress.
Background
Our GOD DEED, which focuses on providing access to books for children from low-income households, is crucially needed due to several pressing societal and educational challenges. According to data from 2020, a significant percentage of children in low-income households are facing challenges related to mental and social-emotional health, exacerbated by the impacts of COVID-19. Specifically, 90% of educators are more concerned about their students' mental and social-emotional well-being compared to before the pandemic. This heightened concern is due to the increased levels of trauma, stress, and lack of resources to support students' mental health needs, as reported by 73% of educators. Furthermore, the lack of physical books and learning resources in students' homes is a critical issue highlighted by educators, with 83% expressing the need for physical books and 71% concerned about the lack of learning resources. This lack of access to essential educational materials not only affects students' cognitive and academic development but also contributes to the prolonged "summer slide" and challenges resulting from school closures, as noted by 85% and 83% of educators, respectively. The need for our good deed is underscored by these statistics, indicating a significant gap in resources and support for students' holistic development and academic success.
The good deed
First Book Canada is actively working to provide brand-new books to children, facilitating the creation of home libraries with support from our extensive network of educators nationwide. Through strategic partnerships with publishing companies, we ensure that new books are accessible to children and youth who lack access to books at home, directly through our programs. Our approach empowers educators to select books that resonate with the lives of the children they serve, offering diverse stories and characters that reflect their experiences. These books are then distributed to children, allowing them to take them home, share them with their families, and ultimately build their own home libraries. Through these initiatives, First Book Canada aims to not only provide tangible resources like books but also to instill a love for reading and learning, ultimately contributing to positive educational outcomes and fostering a brighter future for children across Canada.
About Canada
Ottawa
One of the most striking things about Canada's population is its high level of diversity. Over the past few decades, Canada has become one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world.
Northwest Territories has the highest GDP per capita in Canada due to its resource-based economy and small population. Alberta follows closely, driven by its oil and gas sector.
Canada’s HDI has consistently ranked among the highest in the world. It has evolved with steady improvements over the last two decades, driven by better healthcare, education, and a strong economy.
Toronto, Ontario was recently named the most multicultural city on Earth. Approximately 25% of Hollywood movies are actually filmed in Toronto, Ontario.
About the organization and further information
First Book Canada
Website
https://www.firstbookcanada.org
