Literacy impacts every aspect of a child’s future, including employment opportunities. On average, a low-income household has between zero and three age-appropriate books for children. One Joplin is on a mission to change that statistic for Joplin households.
One Joplin facilitates communication and collaboration among regional organizations in the areas of Education and Literacy, Health, and Poverty. The Education and Literacy Team is asking for assistance in gathering supplies to support early childhood and youth literacy. Donated items will be used in Parents as Teachers home visits. Books will be distributed to area families with information about children and adult literacy resources.
A resource drive is being held in the month of May to collect new and gently used children’s and young adult books as well as supplies needed by Joplin Parents as Teachers. Items can be dropped off at any participating location or purchased from the Amazon Wish List and shipped directly to One Joplin.
Over 6,000 books were collected through the drive in 2023. According to One Joplin Executive Director, Nicole Brown, “Books were labeled with a QR code and weblink to encourage parents to explore free local adult and children’s literacy resources. What better motivator for a parent to consider improving their literacy skills than a child asking to be read a story?”
Partner agencies such as Higher Power Garage installed bookshelves to offer the books free of charge to clients. Volunteers distributed books to area blessing boxes and little free libraries.
Kerri Clouse, Program Coordinator of Joplin Parents as Teachers shared, “We received over 600 items last year that were used in Kindergarten Bootcamps and home visits. Supplies collected through this drive play an integral role in preparing Joplin Schools’ youngest learners for kindergarten.”
Donation drop-off sites include:
- Area Hearing & Speech
- Byers Avenue Methodist Church
- Christ’s Community Church
- Commerce Bank (20th Street location)
- Economic Security Corporation’s Head Start location
- Guaranty Bank (all Joplin locations)
- Joplin Athletic Complex
- Joplin City Hall
- Joplin Health Department
- Joplin Police Department
- Joplin Public Library
- Missouri Southern State University (Billingsly Student Center, Young Gym, or Taylor Hall)
- NALA Adult Literacy
- Southwest Missouri Bank (all Joplin locations)
For more information, please contact Nicole Brown at director@onejoplin.com or call 417.726.9123.
About One Joplin:
One Joplin facilitates collaboration and communication among area organizations to identify and meet community needs in Poverty, Human Services, Health, and Literacy. Founded in 2015, One Joplin engages individuals and organizations from every sector to impact community needs.
Reference:
Nicole Brown, Executive Director
One Joplin
417.726.9123
Director@OneJoplin.com
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