Did you know that two-thirds of third-graders in Shelby County can’t read at their grade level? Nearly 30 percent will never graduate from high school.
And this was before COVID-19 further destabilized our communities.
Give901 is raising $35,000 to put books and learning kits in the hands of more than 3,000 low-income children in 12 different schools and programs across the city. To help low-income students fight off more learning loss this summer, Give901 is putting books and learning kits in their hands.
Gifts of any size can help reach the goal of $35,000 for Summer Learning Kits. $25 provides a kit for a child — visit give901.org to make your gift. You give, and they’ll get the books to the kids to kick-start a summer of learning for these young Memphians.
Before COVID-19, nearly 40 percent of Memphis children were living in poverty, with 80 percent being Black and LatinX children from inner-city neighborhoods. Of the U.S. cities with more than 500,000 residents, only Detroit has a higher child poverty rate.
Children from low-income families and communities already struggled in school compared to their peers in wealthier communities. Two-thirds of third-graders in Shelby County can’t read at grade level. Nearly 30 percent will never graduate from high school.
Data shows that children from low-income households have access to fewer books than students from wealthier neighborhoods. Literacy is one of the greatest indicators of learning proficiency, and Memphis kids lag far behind their peers. To help combat this, Give901 will distribute more than 3,000 books and learning kits to low-income children in K-12th grade. Summer Learning Kits include books, STEM activities, and learning tools that keep children engaged. The Summer Learning Kit distribution will happen this summer at a fun social-distanced distribution event.
Also, to celebrate the generosity of donors, anyone who donates to Summer Learning Kits this week, in addition to anyone who has already donated, will be entered to win a Choose901 prize pack stocked with a T-shirt, tote, mug, and more.
Give901 is a giving platform created by City Leadership and Choose901 to engage Memphians in supporting education in Memphis. To learn more about Give901, visit give901.org