Tag: Freedom Through Literacy

Board Option Award-Lisa Gerard-2022 Freedom Through Literacy

  By

Board Option Award – $200

Lisa Gerard – “Little Read Wagon”
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA

No matter where you look in Norman, Oklahoma, you’re likely to find Lisa Gerard and her Little Read Wagon. Gerard has offered free books at community free events, establishes “libraries” in laundromats and hides books in 65 public parks. For her efforts, we name Lisa as a Board Option Award winner to celebrate her work towards building Norman into a reading community.
“This year, Little Read Wagon adopted the hashtag #communitythroughbooks. This is a perfect description of our work in three words. It is the connections we make with people when we share books and stories with them that fuel our work with literacy. Winning a Board Option Award from Judith’s Reading Room for the second year in a row increases our visibility in the community, gets more books to kids and inspires us by making us aware of other winning literacy projects around the world.”
– Lisa Gerard

Honorable Mentions-2022 Freedom Through Literacy

  By ,
Finally, Honorable Mention Awards (no cash award) are given to those applicants who the judges want to acknowledge and think deserve encouragement.  The idea behind the Honorable Mention Awards is to propel the applicants to continue their literacy efforts and to apply for future Freedom Through Literacy Awards.

Toti Jean Marc Yale – “Reading First”
ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST

For Yale’s outreach to help eradicate illiteracy in his West African nation, we wish to give him global recognition and encouragement through an Honorable Mention.
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Lacking basic reading and writing skills is a tremendous disadvantage. Literacy not only enriches an individual’s life, but it creates opportunities for people to develop skills that will help them provide for themselves and their family. Thank you very much, Judith’s Reading Room, for the good job you are doing across the world that is transforming the life of many kids through their reading skill development.”
– Toti Jean Marc Yale

Children’s Home of Easton – “Book Club for At-Risk Youth”
EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA

We honor Marlene Arnholt with an Honorable Mention for maintaining Children’s Home of Easton’s selection of over 4,000 books and a monthly Book Club that help make a “home” for traumatized youth.
“Providing a love match between readers and books has been my preoccupation and passion since my involvement with the residents at The Children’s Home of Easton began many years ago. Our basic premise is simple: make books of different genres, subjects and popularity easily accessible to every resident and make certain they know there are many more books than are actually displayed. Then, find a way to build on those interests through introductions to like-minded readers. At that point … the sky is truly the limit!”          …Marlene Arnholt

GRAND PRIZE – 2021 Freedom Through Literacy

  By

Grand Prize Award – $2,500

Angela Chalkiopoulou, “Alice in Writer’s Land”
LIMASSOL, CYPRUS

Writing, dancing, drawing, prancing… these are just a few activities you might see in educator Angela Chalkiopoulou’s classroom. Using the power of creativity and inquiry, Ms. Chalkiopoulou’s Alice in Writer’s Land project helps foster both a sense of wonder and resilience in the children of Limassol,Cyprus. Children explore the protagonist’s journey,guided by multimedia and questions that help them examine the story’s theme while developing their social and emotional skills.

Chalkiopoulou’s educational approach has since garnered nominations for national awards and serves as a foundation for a permanent collaboration with libraries in Ptolemaida and at the University of Cyprus in Nicosia.

It is our greatest honor to add to that list and award Angela Chalkiopoulou as the Grand Prize winner of the 2021 Freedom Through Literacy Award for jumping down the rabbit hole of creativity and learning with her inventive, inspirational program.

 

“This award is a testimony to the significant role that literacy plays in obtaining freedom, self esteem,human values and future hope. Literature is the absolute source of inspiration, the joy of human intellect, when combined with ingenious art and multimedia tool kits, it can transform a classroom into a small collaborating and learning society, offering the prospect of a hopeful future for all of us.”
                                                                                                   -Angela Chalkiopoulou

 

AC – 06 – bookdancingAC – 06 – bookdancing
AC – 10 – dancing-webAC – 10 – dancing-web
AC – 15 – libr1AC – 15 – libr1
AC – 11 – dollplayAC – 11 – dollplay
AC – 05 – bookartAC – 05 – bookart
AC – 14 – leftrightAC – 14 – leftright
AC – 08 – comicsAC – 08 – comics
AC – 13 – IMG_20210706_220102AC – 13 – IMG_20210706_220102
AC – 12 – haterscardAC – 12 – haterscard
AC – 04 – ballAC – 04 – ball
AC – 03 – balanceAC – 03 – balance
AC – 02 – artcardplayAC – 02 – artcardplay

 

Board Option Award-Sue Goatley-2021 Freedom Through Literacy

  By

Board Option Award – $400

Sue Goatley – “Jabulani Community Literacy Programme”
ZAMBEZI REGION, VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

Often times, a student without the proper support early in their schooling, may struggle to obtain the foundational literacy skills to advance their formal education. Sue Goatley, with her organization Children in the Wilderness, established an after school community literacy program for teenagers to change that outcome in the rural Zambezi region. We honor Sue with a Board Option Award to support her efforts in bringing essential reading skills to Zimbabwean youth.

“We look forward to adding vital literary resources to the library. The addition of books both from an adult literacy and locally relevant perspective will create long lasting impacts for this group that will be felt for years to come.” – Sue Goatley

6-2-d P10604426-2-d P1060442
6-2-b P10604416-2-b P1060441
6-2-a P10604386-2-a P1060438
6-1-a P1060431 – Copy6-1-a P1060431 – Copy
6-2-e P10604466-2-e P1060446
6-2-c P10604136-2-c P1060413
P1060466P1060466
P1060416P1060416

Board Option Award-Derek Witmer-2021 Freedom Through Literacy

  By

Board Option Award – $300

Derek Witmer – “Diversity and Inclusion Library”
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Second grade teacher Derek Witmer’s care and attention for honoring his students and their experiences has led to the creation of a curated library of books addressing important topics such as general diversity, acceptance, gender identity,and familial make ups. In recognition of his compassion, we award Derek with a Board Option Award

“Literature has the power to change the world, and I’m glad to be able to have an impact on the upcoming generations.” – Derek Witmer

 

 

 

DW – IMAGE – 08DW – IMAGE – 08
DW – IMAGE – 07DW – IMAGE – 07
DW – IMAGE – 06DW – IMAGE – 06
DW – IMAGE – 05DW – IMAGE – 05
DW – IMAGE – 02DW – IMAGE – 02

Board Option Award-Lisa Gerard-2021 Freedom Through Literacy

  By

Board Option Award – $300

Lisa Gerard – “Little Read Wagon”
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA

Tackling communities with “book deserts” in the town of Norman,Oklahoma, Lisa Gerard began a mini library at a local laundromat in 2020. From there, the reading ball started rolling!Since that laundromat library, Lisa has added a lending library and a volunteer program in order to collect and distribute culturally relevant books at community events. In just one year,Lisa has distributed more than 10,000 books to children and adults. We proudly award Lisa a Board Option Award to celebrate her work towards building a reading community.

“This outreach program engages and inspires a great love for reading with a passionate ambition.” – Lisa Gerard

4-3 IMG_77574-3 IMG_7757
4-2 IMG_19754-2 IMG_1975
4-4 IMG_19684-4 IMG_1968

Honorable Mentions-2021 Freedom Through Literacy

  By

Honorable Mentions

Lisette Caesar – “Mirroring Our Kids
EAST HARLEM, NEW YORKLisette’s steadfast efforts to create libraries that reflect her students
and their lives earns her an Honorable Mention.

CBS NY clip on Lisette Caesar’s “brainchild” Book Vending Machine at Mosaic Prep Academy in NY

Simon Ke – “Mobile Library Project”
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

We honor Simon Ke and the Mobile Library Project at Anjali House for reaching
over 850 children in Siem Reap with an Honorable Mention.

Three more Camel Libraries in Pakistan!

  By ,

Three more camel libraries and more to come… read onward…

Well, Judith’s Reading Room got it right when in voting Basarat as our 1st Freedom Through Literacy Award! She continues to thrill and we hope this message touches your heart as it did ours.  Enjoy the new photos as well!

Camel Caravan (6)Camel Caravan (6)
Camel Caravan (14)Camel Caravan (14)
Camel Caravan (2)Camel Caravan (2)

Dear Cathy,

Greetings!!
Thank you to Judith’s Reading Room for starting something so beautiful for Pakistan’s children.

Roshan, and the 1st camel library in Pakistan has warmed the hearts and imagination of people all over the world and been covered by international media with such interest that there has been an opening of so many doors for children in remote areas of Pakistan.

Three more camel libraries are running in Gwadar, Balochistan and Tharparkar, Sindh. We have funds to set up two more, and will start work on them after the Eid holidays.

Roshan now has three more friends,
Aman ( Peace), Raunaq ( Jovial) Chiragh ( Light); Khushi ( Happiness) and Umeed ( Hope) are on their way.

And all this in a short time period; Roshan was launched in October 2020.

My warmest and very best to all at Judith’s Reading Room.

Basarat

Camel Caravan (3)Camel Caravan (3)
Camel Caravan (4)Camel Caravan (4)
Camel Caravan (5)Camel Caravan (5)

Additional information …..

GRAND PRIZE – 2015 Freedom Through Literacy Award

BOARD OPTION PRIZES – 2020 Freedom Through Literacy

Camel Caravan (13)Camel Caravan (13)
Camel Caravan (12)Camel Caravan (12)
Camel Caravan (10)Camel Caravan (10)
Camel Caravan (9)Camel Caravan (9)
Camel Caravan (8)Camel Caravan (8)
Camel Caravan (7)Camel Caravan (7)

Please submit your application for 2021’s Freedom Through Literacy Award – Deadline July 1st!

2020 FREEDOM THROUGH LITERACY AWARD CELEBRATION

  By

2020 FREEDOM THROUGH LITERACY AWARD
Virtual Award Celebration – Sept. 26, 2020

GRAND PRIZE – 2020 Freedom Through Literacy

  By

Grand Prize Award – $2,500

Christopher McGilvery, “Teachers and Student Ambassadors Project”
Canyon, Texas

Supporting one another with the power of literacy. For Chris McGilvery, this is the story he wants to tell in his community. Through his work with The Leaders Readers Network, Chris engages teachers across the United States and Dominica to grow leadership and literacy skills for students. The project partners with teachers to facilitate “buddy” teams in which older students read aloud to younger students while also learning about the
effects of illiteracy.

To date, Chris and his team have trained 205 students, partnered with 215 teachers, and impacted over 55,000 students’ lives.

It is with great enthusiasm that we honor Chris McGilvery as the Grand Prize winner of the 2020 Freedom Through Literacy Award for his innovative, child-centered approach to foster a love of reading – and leadership! – for children across the United States.

“This award inspires me to continue to build and grow the important work we are doing to support education equity and literacy for all.”
                                                                                                   -Chris McGilvery

Videos

Slide Show

 

  • Donate Now

    We ask that you please make a donation to Judith’s Reading Room, in support of our ongoing recognition of what is being accomplished in the great world of literacy, as well as funding our shipment of children’s books, both domestically and internationally.