Literature for All of Us > Mission & Vision

Mission & Vision

Our Mission
Literature for All of Us brings the rewards of reading and writing through book group discussions to teen mothers and other young people in underserved neighborhoods. We build communities of readers, poets, and critical thinkers. We develop family literacy by providing children’s literature and child development resources to teen parents. We open worlds by opening books

Our Vision
We envision a future when all young people have opportunities that enable them to access their voices, write their stories, embrace meaning in their lives, and imagine possibilities for their futures. In safe environments, they have the support of responsible adults as they grow into caring and empowered individuals.

They use reading, writing, and discussion to explore their strengths and share their ideas, while experiencing a sense of accomplishment, self-esteem and hope. Young people become part of a community of avid readers and gain excellent literacy and decision-making skills.

As parents they nurture their children with love, respect, structure, and consistent exposure to literature.

As engaged citizens they know how and where to identify and use resources and they organize their communities to seek equity and social justice. Working with others, they use the power of words to change the world.

"Now I know that the more you read, the better you understand things."

— teen parent, Illinois Department of Human Services