Statewide Homeless Student Initiative

Michigan Friends of Education Seek to Distribute Books to Every Homeless Student In Michigan

Hand a book to a child and a variety of things will happen: Some children will open the book and look for pictures; some will flip the book over and read the blurb on the back; and some will even head directly to the last page to read the ending, unable to stand the suspense. But, rarely, if ever, will you see a child toss the book aside. Simply put, children of all ages enjoy a good book. So, if that’s the case, why are so many of our children – especially those from economically disadvantaged homes – having such a difficult time developing strong reading skills and how can this trend be reversed?

Simply put, students need to read outside of the school day to fully develop the skills and practice necessary to be fluent, confident readers. To help create change, Michigan Friends of Education (MFE) is hoping to get books into the hands of more than 31,000 homeless students in Michigan by the end of August.

The number of homeless students in Michigan has jumped more than 300 percent in the last four years. To help reach these kids, the organizations are actively trying to raise $15,000 in order to provide books to every identified homeless student in the state. These funds will help purchase books and prepare and send them for shipment, to be handed to the first round of 31,000 homeless students.

Research shows that one of the ways to increase reading proficiency is ensuring all kids have access to and own their own books. Kids living in poverty often don’t have access to books like other children. This special delivery will put books right into their hands.

Please see our campaign progress below. To donate towards this special initiative, please click here.

If you cannot donate financially, please consider donating a Facebook status update or a tweet. Here’s a few ideas:

Tweet:

Help provide books to all of #Michigan’s homeless students with @OKE_News here: bit.ly/L1SHhu #OKEBooks

Facebook:

The number of homeless students in Michigan has jumped more than 300% in the last four years. Last year, more than 31,000 homeless students attended school. Let’s work together to raise funds with @Operation: Kid Equip to get books into the hands of ALL of these students. Visit here for more info: http://bit.ly/L1SHhu

CAMPAIGN PROGRESS
Updated once per day; last update June 14, 2012

To donate towards this special initiative, please click here.  You may designate an area in the special instructions field.

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