Oprah’s Angel Network

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With support from Oprah's Angel Network, First Book helped put millions of books in the hands of children throughout the Gulf Coast.

Photo courtesy of First Book

“Give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books.” This is the mission of First Book, so in the devastating days following Hurricane Katrina, it was no surprise when this non-profit organization launched “Book Relief” to distribute books throughout the Gulf Coast region. Oprah’s Angel Network stepped in to become the first major donor to this initiative, awarding First Book with a three-year grant of $250,000.

The Importance of Books

While the tragedy of the Gulf Coast hurricanes spurred the Book Relief initiative, Kyle Zimmer, president and co-founder of First Book notes, “In truth, so much of the need in the region predates the storms by generations.” According to a study included in the Handbook of Early Literacy Research, Vol. 2, in middle-income neighborhoods, the ratio of books per child is 13-to-1. But in low-income neighborhoods, like so many of those impacted by Hurricane Katrina, the ratio is one age-appropriate book for every 300 children.

In truth, so much of the need in the region predates the storms by generations."
—Kyle Zimmer, President, First Book.

At the same time, studies show that for children, access to books is essential to reading development. When books aren’t accessible and reading isn’t encouraged during childhood, the potential for problems into adulthood is very real.
Illiterate and low literacy adults find themselves doing poorly in the job market and also unable to help their own children in school—setting up a cycle to continue for generations.

The Impact of Book Relief

With the help of the Angel Network’s funds, by August 2007 First Book had distributed 5.1 million books to schools, libraries and community centers throughout the Gulf Coast region. For some young people, it was the first time a new book was put in their hands—making it their first step toward a brighter future.