Books for Bright Futures at Brightway has been an amazing project that has reached so many children and families! We had to start a bit later than planned as we had to find the right printing company (at the right price) and wait for the printing process.
Once the books were available we got to work at all types of venues! We distributed at places like cultural festivals, preschools, ommunity events, farmer's markets, and even laudromats.
We set out to impact very specific communities, that are in great need of resources. Our setback in finding a printer and waiting for the printed books turned out to be providential. We had aimed to start distribution late August. We finally had the books in hand by September, which coincided with Hispanic Heritage Month. This meant we were able to distribute and promote reading at many events geared toward this community. Our hope was to impact Hispanic and African American children, as well as the residents of a small community that had recently (and historically) experienced violence.
With 2,000 books in hand we attended several Hispanic Festivals and distributed hundreds of books (we attended 4 Hispanic Festivals). We also, were invited to preschools to read and share our books. these recepients were from all backgrounds and joyfully received the books after hearing and discussing the hopeful story (There Must be a Rainbow). We were able to distribute books to families at local food pantries (where families in financial difficulty come to receive assistance with food) in two cities (Milford and Dover).
The name of our project mentions a small community in Milford, DE (Brightway) that has experienced violence. This community lacks resources and is visited by few organizations to support it. Our event there was celebrated October 5, 2024. At this event, we had older community members reading the books to the children, a drumming teacher exploring rhythms and drumming with the children, explored South Africa (where the books are from), had an outdoor space decorated with South African motifs, and created bright crafts, while South African music played in the background. The local police department offered to provide hot dogs (food) to all of those in attendance. We had a bounce house/slide and as unexpected bonus, a local hospital had a mobile unit providing services to the adults. Delaware Readiness Teams was also present, they are an organization that screens children to make sure they are ready for school. They had many free books for participants, as well. We were so glad to see children come. listen. enjoy and receive the amazing BookDash books.
We were also invited to read and share books with families that visit a local laundromat in two of their locations (Milford and Georgetown).
In addition, we took advantage of several Halloween events to distribute hundreds of books! We attended at least 4 events with anywhere from 200 - 700 children in attendance. Parents were overjoyed to see literacy being promoted and not just candy being distributed! We are hoping they were motivated to continue bringing books into their childrens' lives.
We still have very few copies left and should have them distributed by the end of this month. At every event we could, we also taught children about South Africa and incorporated crafts.
We are so grateful for this opportunity and although we were unable to photograph many events (due to child safety restrictions), we have seen hundreds of smiles of excited and overjoyed children embracing these Book Dash books!
We are so gratuful for all that ChangeX has provided to impact so many children with such a valuable tool to promote literacy!
We had a wonderful time at the Splash Laundromat sharing "There Must be a Rainbow" with the kids at their Grand Opening! Sara LaBright read the story and we created beautiful rainbows and a scene from the story. 20 books were distributed.
On October 5th we celebrated Books for a Bright Future in Brightway! Kids had a blast! Delaware Readiness Teams were present, the Milford Police Department grilled Hot Dogs , UWF ladies helped with crafts and the administration of the Brightway Commons community was so helpful! Kids drummed with Drumming by Dee and bounced in J&Js Bounce House.
As part of Books for a Bright Future in Brightway Commons we read both BookDash.books "There must be a Rainbow" and '"Dance , Khuzwayo ,Dance!" . We made crafts and had a drumming session with Drums by Dee.
As part of Books for a Bright Future in Brightway Commons we read both BookDash.books "There must be a Rainbow" and '"Dance , Khuzwayo ,Dance!" . We made crafts and had a drumming session with Drums by Dee.
This week we read "There Must be a Rainbow" from Book Dash South Africa to 100 Preschoolers each got a copy of the book and of "Dance Khuzwayo, Dance!". 200 books distributed! Yay! Thank you ChangeX!
More than 200 books were given away at the Baila Con Dover/Hispanic Festival! Everyone was so happy and surprised to receive books from South Africa, parents were very open and responisve to the call to read with their children on a regular basis, some sat down and read the stories to them right there! It was a very well attended event. We provided a space to color and read. Families in attendance were mostly Hispanic.
The books have arrived and although we had to push back the distribution event to October, we have started distributing at community events. So far we have distributed 120 books! First, we diatributed at the Milford Farmer's Market. We also distributed at a local food pantry. We provided coloring pages at both locations.
There will be a community event Sept. 6th where (if we get the printing done in time) will be addressing literacy and a first round of distribution. We have a special event coming October 5th in BRIGHTWAY!
Wooohooo! Books are off the printer and will be in process this Monday! We will be contacting the administration to set the day for the Brightway Commons distribution event. We will be partnering with Read Aloud Delaware, Delaware Readiness Teams, Rodel, and others... it will be fun!
We have a printer!!!! We are going to be moving forward soon!!! We are excited! The costs to print locally will unfortunately eat up most of the budget. We are hoping to get a sponsor or two for some distribution events :) It will be fun!
Action plan:
Timeline: Late August, early September. Date is dependent on the printer's turn around. We would like it to be before the school year begins in mid September.
Budget: Printing costs have come in very high. It is looking like 75% - 85% of the grant will go toward printing alone. The remainder would go toward a kick off event in the community and promotion costs.
Impact: We are focusing on economically challenged communities. Brightway Commons, specifically has experienced violence recently. We believe this event and the gift of books will be a much needed bright light during this dark time. Some of these families lack transportation to visit our local library and the means to purchase books (there are no bookstores in our area).
Location: We will be focusing on three cities. Our main event will be in Milford, Delaware, in the Brightway Commons Community. We will also be joining a back to school book bag giveaway event in Seaford, Delaware. Our third location will be Georgetown, Delaware. Lastly, (if we are able to have the books by August 31st) we will distribute books at the Hispanic Organization of Latin Americans at their "Baila con Dover" event (which is open to the whole community and beyond). Seaford's event will be focusing on the Haitian immigrant community as well as African American families. In Georgetown, there is a large Hispanic (Central American) Immigrant community we will reach. The Dover distribution will heavily be attended by Hispanic families but will have the whole community present, as well. We will be partnering with several other organizations in these towns to distribute
