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BOOKsisters Campaign Launched
In November we launched our new BOOKsisters program at The Book Stall in Winnetka. Seven girls from our Family Focus teen group met with women from a local book group for a lively discussion of Upstate by Kalisha Buckhanon.
BOOKsisters pass on the pleasure of sharing books with others by sponsoring a Literature for All of Us book group for young women. Each Book Sisters group decides on a level of financial sponsorship they will provide each year. In return, they are invited to poetry readings by the young women in the program and receive regular program updates. For more information about becoming a BOOKsister, call 847-869-7323.
Poetry Out Loud
On February 21, Literature for All of Us organized the Chicagoland Regional Finals for Poetry Out Loud in conjunction with the Illinois Arts Council. There were 15 students representing 15 schools from across the region at the Regional Finals, held at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago. Winners then competed in the Illinois State Finals in Springfield on
March 6.
Reach for the Stars! Read-a-thon
Our first-ever read-a-thon raised over $2,000 for Literature for All of Us. Thanks to all those who participated and pledged during this on-line fundraising campaign.
More Opportunities! Book Groups at Six New Schools!
As a result of new collaborations begun in 2008 with new and existing partners, we have six new book groups. In partnership with Family Focus – Nuestra Familia, we have after-school book groups at three new elementary schools in Humboldt Park: West Park, Otis, and Prescott.
We are also working with Young Connection Charter Schools on two new campuses. Already serving Bronzeville Academic Center, we have added groups that meet during the regular school day at Youth Connection Leadership Academy on the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology and at Sullivan House, 8134 S. Chicago Avenue.
We have launched a 16-week book group for 8 th grade girls at Schiller Elementary School in Chicago’s Near North neighborhood, thanks to our new partnership with Open Books.
Links to Recent Publications
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