Board Option Award-Colin Bloom – 2023 Freedom Through Literacy

Board Option Award-Colin Bloom – 2023 Freedom Through Literacy

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Colin Bloom, 16-year-old New York City high school student and founder of a literacy nonprofit for his project, “Creating a Library for Literacy at the Senianya Primary School in Mpumalanga, South Africa.”  Colin is a standout on multiple levels:  as a teenager, he established a nonprofit, Libraries for Literacy, has dedicated two libraries in impoverished rural South Africa, has assertively insinuated himself into partnerships with global entities, and has shown tenacity, drive, entrepreneurship, compassion and a desire to learn and improve from each experience. 

Board Option Award-Victor Owuor – 2023 Freedom Through Literacy

Board Option Award-Victor Owuor – 2023 Freedom Through Literacy

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Victor Owuor, after-school program coordinator, the Sunflower Trust, Nairobi, Kenya for his project, “Pathway to Alternative Learning Education (PALE).”  As World Literacy Ambassador since 2022 representing Kenya, Victor understands what it means when one lacks resources to attend school:  He was born and bred in the informal settlement of Kibera slum, Nairobi.  Sunflower Trust works in partnership with community schools to identify girls, in the fifth grade, who are at risk of ending their education early and transitions them to the after-school, part-time PALE program. 

GRAND PRIZE – 2023 Freedom Through Literacy

GRAND PRIZE – 2023 Freedom Through Literacy

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The $2,500 Grand Prize goes to award-winning children’s book author Ty Jackson for his youth financial literacy project:  “The Danny Dollar Entrepreneur Fair,” Fresno, California.  Ty, a previous winner of the coveted Judith’s Award, developed a creative program based on his book, Make Your Own Money:  How Kids Can Earn It, Save It, Spend It, and Dream Big.

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Announcing – Pen Pals Across the World

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Judith’s Reading Room dedicated its 103rd library today at Jabulani Community Center in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.  This custom library contains books designed for teenagers and adults who, for whatever reason, find themselves grown but not fully literate.cation can donate a book or two at checkout for a child in need and forever change that child’s life.

Judith’s Reading Room Dedicates its 105 Library

Judith’s Reading Room Dedicates its 105 Library

Byjrrtestadmin

Judith’s Reading Room dedicated its 103rd library today at Jabulani Community Center in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.  This custom library contains books designed for teenagers and adults who, for whatever reason, find themselves grown but not fully literate.cation can donate a book or two at checkout for a child in need and forever change that child’s life.

GRAND PRIZE – 2022 Freedom Through Literacy

GRAND PRIZE – 2022 Freedom Through Literacy

Byjrrtestadmin

Grand Prize Award – $2,500 Fayola Fair – “Reading for Black Lives Project”JAMAICA, QUEENS, NEW YORK “Literacy is an essential aspect of social change and liberation.” So declares 24-year-old Fayola Fair, educator, community organizer, and our 2022 Freedom Through Literacy Grand Prize Winner. Fair’s “Reading for Black Lives Project” aims to promote this belief by…

JUDITH’S AWARD – 2022 Freedom Through Literacy

JUDITH’S AWARD – 2022 Freedom Through Literacy

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 “Judith’s Award” awarded to the champion of literacy teacher, librarian or author Judith’s Award – $1,500 Dominique Zara – “Ready for Life”RESITA, ROMANIA If you meet librarian Dominique Zara, winner of our 2022 Judith’s Award, you will marvel at her humility and enthusiasm. Committed to supporting the more vulnerable members of her community, she is…

Board Option Award-Dr. Lisette Caesar-2022 Freedom Through Literacy

Board Option Award-Dr. Lisette Caesar-2022 Freedom Through Literacy

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Board Option Award – $200 Dr. Lisette Caesar – “Book Vending Machine” EAST HARLEM, NEW YORK A Judith’s Reading Room Honorable Mention awardee in 2021, Lisette Caesar is recognized with a Board Option Award for her unrelenting optimism and passion to build a reading culture during her tenure as principal at Mosaic Prep Academy. Her…

Board Option Award-Lisa Tedeschi Vergara-2022 Freedom Through Literacy

Board Option Award-Lisa Tedeschi Vergara-2022 Freedom Through Literacy

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Board Option Award – $200 Lisa Tedeschi Vergara – “Literacy Through Art of the Book” NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS Walk into a place that Lisa Tedeschi Vergara’s work has touched, and you’ll understand why we  have given her a Board Option Award. Her beautifully crafted decoupage book-themed chairs, commissioned for public spaces, give children the chance to…