The Origins of the Literacy For All Children Foundation

The Literacy For All Children Foundation began in 2006. Immediately following the Katrina devastation in Louisiana, more than five hundred families were relocated in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Most of those families had children who were then placed in the public and private school systems in the city. Naturally, none of these children owned any books at all. All our schools require a minimum of fifteen minutes each day in independent reading at home. If children do not have books practicing reading becomes very difficult.

Dr. Barbara Swaby of the College of Education at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs conceived a plan to remedy this problem. The plan was called the Literacy For All Children Initiative. The mantra for the Initiative became “If the children do not go the library and the library does not go to the children, then let’s put the library on the children’s backs and send the library home.”

The community was mobilized, and donated books and backpacks to the Initiative. Within three months, every relocated child was given a backpack filled with fifteen to twenty books and as many school supplies as we were able to include. Once that need was filled, Dr. Swaby asked a very important question. “Why would we invite children into our community and treat them better than we treat the children who have been here all along?” The Initiative was then expanded to all children of low wealth. This category was defined as children who qualified for free or reduced lunch. The community once again was mobilized and responded with open arms. Since then, the Initiative has provided over 5,000 bags filled with between ten and fifteen books to area children. We have received donations of over 50,000 book from the Colorado Springs community since 2006.

Our mission is to provide books for all Colorado Springs K-5 children who need them. In 2008 our Foundation joined with the Boys and Girls Clubs in Colorado Springs. We will be giving books to all children in these clubs twice each year. Gifts of books, school supplies, canvas bags, or monetary donations are greatly appreciated. To donate to the Initiative, please go to our Giving page.

Thank you for your interest in our mission.

Dr. Barbara Swaby