Tag: Harkins House

Encourage Siblings to Read Aloud to Younger Siblings

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CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Encourage Siblings to Read Aloud to Younger Siblings

Choose a Summer of Reading & Make Lifetime Memories

May 30, 2024 — Judith’s Reading Room, a literacy nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy suggests a ‘sibling-to-sibling’ summer activity that will surely build lifetime memories.

In partnership with Washington County Juvenile Detention Center’s ‘Harkins House,’ a nationally recognized model program and short-term residential shelter located near Portland, Oregon, the Juvenile Service Supervisor recently shared the outcome of receiving the latest shipment of books donated by Judith’s Reading Room.

In celebration of 12 consecutive years of enhancing its Judith’s Reading Room library at ‘Harkins House,’ the organization added 67 YA and children’s books to grow the library to 708 books valued at nearly $9,000.

Martha Villegas, Juvenile Service Supervisor shared, “the youth had the opportunity to look through the books and pick out books for their younger siblings.  They were able to use this opportunity to engage in reading with their younger siblings during family time at Harkins House.”  She added, “It was nice to see how the family as a whole enjoyed spending time onsite reading together as an activity that included younger siblings.  The youth shared excitement in being able to give their sibling a book and see their responses with big smiles on their faces.”

This summer, choose a family activity by visiting your local library or book store and encourage older siblings to pick out books to read aloud to their younger siblings.  Imagine the joy that one ‘Harkins House’ youth felt when they said, “this is the first time I have ever read to my little sister.”

Judith’s Reading Room and Harkins House Celebrate 12 Years

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CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

The Judith’s Reading Room Library at Portland, Oregon’s ‘Harkins House’ Celebrates 12 Years 

April 25, 2024 — Judith’s Reading Room, a nonprofit literacy organization based in eastern Pennsylvania announced that it had deepened its commitment to providing quality literature to ‘Harkins House,’ a residential shelter for teens near Portland, Oregon.

In May 2012, Judith’s Reading Room established a library at Washington County Juvenile Detention Center’s ‘Harkins House,’ a nationally recognized model program and short-term temporary residential shelter located near Portland, Oregon.  Based on research, literacy is a significant protective factor for at-risk youth and is strongly correlated with reducing recidivism.  For those reasons, Judith’s Reading Room has sustained its efforts to provide books and a path to building social skills and literacy.

In celebration of the 12 consecutive years of enhancing the initial library of 219 books, Judith’s Reading Room announced today that it has added 67 high-quality books at a cover price of $735.  The library has grown to 708 books valued at $8,734 and with today’s donation, includes New York Times Bestsellers, National Book Award Finalists, Stonewall Honor Books, John Newbery Medal authors and Best Book of the Year.

The organization has had a hands-on approach with its Judith’s Reading Room library with members of the board of directors visiting ‘Harkins House,’ conducting Banned Books events, supporting Book Clubs and producing a film documentary called “Cracking Open the Universe” that revealed to researchers from Lafayette College in Easton, PA that book clubs enhanced participation and positively impacted participants’ attitudes about pleasure reading.

For more information about Judith’s Reading Room and its annual “Freedom Through Literacy Award,” visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.

Barnes & Noble Customers – “A Season of Giving”

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CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

 Barnes & Noble Customers Define the True Meaning of 

“A Season of Giving”

December 20, 2023 — Blandon, Pa — Judith’s Reading Room, a literacy non-profit, applauds the staff and customers of Barnes & Noble Wyomissing, Pennsylvania for supporting it as their Holiday Book Drive Charity.  This holiday season, book lovers donated over 150 children’s books with a cover price value of $1,438.

The organization requested that employees emphasize the donation of teen books.  Their efforts proved successful and, as a result, three organizations that provide live-in services for at-risk youth will receive books for their Judith’s Reading Room Book Clubs.  Namely:  Children’s Home of Easton, Pa; Harkins’ House, Portland, Or; and, Louisiana United Methodist Family & Children’s Services, Ruston, La.  Each of these organizations stress the importance of literacy as a significant protective factor for children who come from families dealing with overwhelming issues such as loss of jobs, unsafe neighborhoods or family trauma.

Barnes & Noble Wyomissing, PA Store Manager, Paul Weisser

Barnes & Noble Wyomissing, PA Store Manager, Paul Weisser

“Our gratitude cannot be measured.  We appreciate the store management for choosing Judith’s Reading Room as their 2023 Holiday Book Drive Charity and profusely thank the associates for understanding the role books can play in helping kids manage tough times.  Their effort to encourage patrons to donate a book will give kids the unique, life-changing experience of participating in a book club,” said Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.

Judith’s Reading Room’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  We have fulfilled that mission since 2010 by establishing 105 libraries in 23 countries (and counting!) with over 132,000 books donated.  Applications for the 2024 Freedom Through Literacy Award may be found at www.judithsreadingroom.org.  Deadline for applications is February 5, 2024.

 

 

2023 Holiday Book Drive Announcement

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NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
www.JudithsReadingRoom.org

Kids Benefit from Barnes & Noble Holiday Book Drive

Judith’s Reading Room plans to establish kids’ book clubs

November 17, 2023 — Thanks to Barnes & Noble Wyomissing, Pa, Judith’s Reading Room will once again support schools and after school programs with children’s books.  For the 4th year in a row, this B&N location selected Judith’s Reading Room as its Holiday Book Drive Charity which runs from November to December 7th.

Most people have heard the words, “Book Club,” but how many relate those words with kids?  Since 2015, Judith’s Reading Room has been a  leading proponent of book clubs for children.  Why?  Because book clubs offer children the chance to discuss a book without judgment, listen to different opinions, assume leadership while asking probing questions and to generally understand what’s going on around them.

Judith’s Reading Room reported on the power of  kids’ book clubs  when it produced the documentary, ‘Cracking Open the Universe,’ that highlighted the importance of literacy as a significant protective factor for at-risk youth.  Featured at the 2015 LV Film Festival, it showcased the reality of children who come from families dealing with overwhelming issues such as loss of jobs, unsafe neighborhoods or family trauma.  At the invitation of the Children’s Home of Easton, Easton, Pa and Harkins’ House in Portland, Or, the organization’s film crew witnessed kids in the throes of book club sessions.  View the documentary HERE.

The Holiday Book Drive runs through December 7, 2023.  “Generous B&N customers are encouraged to donate a book at the check out counter and kids will get more than a book this year — they’ll get the unique, life-changing experience of participating in a book club,” said Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.

Judith’s Reading Room’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  We have fulfilled that mission since 2010 by establishing 105 libraries in 23 countries (and counting!) with over 132,000 books donated.

To apply for the 2023 Judith’s Reading Room’s ‘Freedom Through Literacy Award’ and to learn more about its newest Awards, visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.

 

Banned Books Week at Harkins House

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CONTACT:  Cathy Leiber

Judith’s Reading Room Celebrates Banned Books Week
Harkins House Receives Collection of YA Books 

22 September 2023 — Hillsboro, Oregon —In recognition of Banned Books Week, the global literacy nonprofit organization Judith’s Reading Room hosted a special event at Washington County’s Harkins House with a donation of mostly banned or challenged YA fiction, nonfiction and graphic novels.   The organization established a library at the residential home in May 2012.

Judith F. Krug, a prominent First Amendment and library activist, in whose memory Judith’s Reading Room was founded in 2010, fervently believed that no one should tell another person what they can or cannot read.  Judy is credited with creating Banned Books Week in 1982 in her capacity as Director, Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association in Chicago, Illinois .  

Every year, the American Library Association compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools.  It is notable that 2022 marked the year when demands to censor library resources was the highest since the ALA began compiling data about censorship more than 20 years ago.

Scott Leiber, co-founder, Judith’s Reading Room and first cousin to Judy will make brief remarks to the residents and staff at Harkins House about Judy’s lifetime commitment to the First Amendment.  For over 40 years, Judy led the American Library Association’s prestigious Office for Intellectual Freedom.  In that capacity, she defended librarians, teachers, authors and book publishers who came under attack for offering books that someone objected to. 

To honor the spirit of Banned Books Week, Judith’s Reading Room purchased many of the top challenged books to donate to Harkins House including:  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Alexie, Lawn Boy by Evison, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Chbosky and Looking for Alaska by Green.

“These books are intended to provide fun for youth impacted by the Juvenile Justice System residing at Harkins House,” said Cathy L. Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.  “Research shows that reading for pleasure can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being,” she added.

Today’s donation brings to a total 631 books donated since 2012 to Harkins House at a value of $7,874.  This demonstrates the organization’s on going commitment to support the education and mental health of young people by providing them books that can help navigate difficult times and build resilience.

The mission of Judith’s Reading Room is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  Its signature event, the annual Freedom Through Literacy Award honors teachers, authors, and librarians who have done exemplary work to instill in others a love of reading.  To date the organization has dedicated 105 libraries in 23 countries, serving tens of thousands of children and adults with more than 132,000 books donated worth $1.4 million.

To apply for the 2024 Freedom Through Literacy Award, visit the organization’s website on October 5, 2023 at www.judithsreadingroom.org.  The deadline for applications is February 5, 2024.


 

Reading for Fun at ‘Harkins House’ Builds Resilience

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CONTACT:  Cathy Leiber

Literacy is a Significant Protective Factor for At-Risk Youth
— Reading for Fun at ‘Harkins House’ Builds Resilience —

9 May 2023 — Washington County’s Harkins House and Judith’s Reading Room, a global nonprofit literacy organization, today announced their latest collaboration to enhance Judith’s Reading Room’s library established there in 2012.

Today’s donation of 46 books curated by Harkins House staff is intended to provide books for fun for youth impacted by the Juvenile Justice System residing at ‘Harkins House’ in Hillsboro, Oregon. The donation is part of Judith’s Reading Room’s ongoing efforts to support the education and mental health of young people around the world.

The books cover a wide range of genres, from adventure and mystery to science fiction, and were carefully selected by Harkins House staff affirming that reading for fun can be a powerful tool to help young people navigate difficult times and build resilience.

“Research shows that reading for pleasure can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. Our hope is that these books will provide a source of comfort, escape, and inspiration for the youth,” said Cathy Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.

Judith’s Reading Room has donated a total of 581 books worth over $7,000 to Washington County Juvenile Detention Center’s ‘Harkins House,’ an organization that provides a range of services, including counseling, support groups, and mentorship, to help young people overcome challenges such as addiction, trauma, and family issues.

“We are thrilled to receive this generous donation from Judith’s Reading Room,” said Martha Villegas, Juvenile Service Supervisor. “Reading can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth, and we know that these books will be a valuable addition to our programs,” she added.

Judith’s Reading Room was established in 2010 in the memory of the founders’ first cousin, Judith F. Krug, a librarian and Director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.  Its mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  Its signature event, the annual Freedom Through Literacy Award honors teachers, authors, and librarians who have done exemplary work to instill in others a love of reading.   To date, the organization has dedicated 105 libraries in 23 countries, serving tens of thousands of children and adults with more than 132,000 books donated worth more than $1.4 million. To learn more, visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.

Thank you so much for stopping by we appreciate your support and taking the time to fly out to meet with staff and youth. Today I came to work and had youths handing me names of books to keep in mind for next time you are out, which say’s a lot about their enthusiasm of reading. These are youth who report never picking up a book to read for fun in their life.

Continue the good work! We look forward to fostering an ongoing partnership with “Judith’s Reading Room”. We have many ideas so we hope to apply for your grant/prize next year to support specific books that we can use in youth programming at Harkins House.

Martha Villegas
Juvenile Service Supervisor 

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10th Anniversary ‘Stand Out’ Library – Harkins House

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Mindy Chipps, Juvenile Counselor at Harkins House and David Leiber, Judith’s Reading Room Board member show off the Judith’s Reading Room library at Harkins House.

To celebrate its 10th Anniversary, Judith’s Reading Room, a global literacy non-profit organization founded in 2010 kept good on its promise to bolster libraries it has donated over its 10 year history. 

 To celebrate the milestone, the board of directors allocated $5,000 to be invested in 10 of its 99 literacy initiatives.   Portland, Oregon’s Harkins House is named one of the ten “stand out” libraries.  Led by board member David Leiber, 39 books worth $637 – all picked by the kids themselves — were delivered to Harkins House on March 13.
Since 2012, Judith’s Reading Room has collaborated with educators  and counselors at Harkins House, a nationally recognized shelter for delinquent youth near Portland, Oregon, and has delivered nearly 600 books for leisure reading and book clubs.

The idea is to instill in this unique population a love of reading.  Why? Literacy is a significant protective factor for at-risk youth and is strongly correlated with reducing recidivism, according to Mindy Chipps, Juvenile Counselor.   Harkins House serves over 100 youth per year.  Last year the number totaled 122 with 80% returning to their community.  She added, “Literacy is supported by everyone at Harkins House because books help kids returning to school by dropping barriers, heightening interest, and fostering the love of favorite topics.”

Chipps added that youth residing at Harkins House have the opportunity to actually read a book, unencumbered by stresses and strains from their often untenable home environments.  Most stay 60 days and in that time, many come to see reading a book as a way to escape painful environments.  

Shopping at Barnes & Noble for books for the donation to Harkins House in Portland, Oregon.  David Leiber received book wish list from Harkins House and successfully found most of their request.

Letter and more photo’s of delivered books!
(Updated April 18, 2020)

Hello,

I hope this finds you and yours safe and healthy.  We are living in such a different world right now.

I included the approved pictures from your visit.  I read the press release from your visit, it is great! All of our youth have been enjoying the books you donated and have been sharing their awesome summaries of the books, it is wonderful to see.

Look forward to our continued partnership!

Mindy Chipps
Juvenile Counselor
Harkins House

Books Donated to Harkins House, Portland, Oregon March 13, 2020
Angelou, M., I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Backman, F., A Man Called Ove
Backman, F., Bear Town
Beattie, M., Codependent No More
Brown, C., A Piece of Cake
Buxbaum, J., Tell Me Three Things
Clinton, H., The Book of Gutsy Women
Dasher, J., The Maze Runner Series
       Book 1: The Maze Runner
       Book 2: The Scortch Trials
       Book 4: The Kill Order
De La Pena, M., Mexican White Boy
Emmich, V., Dear Evan Hansen
Frank, A., Anne Frank’s Diary, The Graphic Adaptation
Glasgow, K., Girl in Pieces
Han, J., To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Hollis, D., Get Out of Your Own Way
Jackson, H., A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
Kamkwamba, W., The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Liggett, K., The Grace Year
Lucado, M., Anxious for Nothing
McManus, K., One of Us is Lying
McManus, K., One of Us is Next
Morris, H., The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Niven, J. All the Bright Places
O’Brien, T., The Things They Carried
Reynolds, J., Long Way Down
Ribay, R., Patron Saints of Nothing
Rodriguez, L., Always Running
Salazar, N., The Flight Girls
Sanchez, R., Once a King, Always a King
Sanchez, R., My Bloody Life
Stevenson, B., Just Mercy
Stone, N., Dear Martin
Takei, G., They Called Us Enemy
Thomas, A., On the Come Up
Venkatesh, S., Gang Leader for a Day
Watson, R., Watch Us Rise
Yoon, N., Every Thing, Every Thing
Yousafzai, M., I am Malala

 The 10 Judith’s Reading Room ‘Stand Out’ libraries are:

“By supporting the good work of others, we aspire to share and celebrate people who are doing genuinely astonishing work, instilling in others a love of reading,” said Scott Leiber, Co-Founder of Judith’s Reading Room.

In addition to libraries, Judith’s Reading Room holds an annual competition for the “Freedom Through Literacy Award.”  Initiated in 2015, Judith’s Reading Room has disbursed $33,500 in prize money, honoring 31 individual champions of literacy in the United States, the Philippines, Bhutan, Pakistan, Rwanda, Cambodia, Mexico, Australia, Zimbabwe and Greece.

Applications for the 2020 Freedom Through Literacy Award may be found at www.judithsreadingroom.org/freedom-through-literacy-award/.  Deadline is July 1st.  Winners announced end of July. 

Judith’s Reading Room Celebrates Harkins House

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NEWS RELEASE 
CONTACT:  Cathy Leiber

Judith’s Reading Room Celebrates Harkins House
Delivers Books Hand-Picked by At-Risk Youth
 

March 18, 2020 — . To celebrate its 10th Anniversary, Judith’s Reading Room, a global literacy non-profit organization founded in 2010 kept good on its promise to bolster libraries it has donated over its 10 year history. 

 To celebrate the milestone, the board of directors allocated $5,000 to be invested in 10 of its 99 literacy initiatives.   Portland, Oregon’s Harkins House is named one of the ten “stand out” libraries.  Led by board member David Leiber, 39 books worth $637 – all picked by the kids themselves — were delivered to Harkins House on March 13.
 
Since 2012, Judith’s Reading Room has collaborated with educators  and counselors at Harkins House, a nationally recognized shelter for delinquent youth near Portland, Oregon, and has delivered nearly 600 books for leisure reading and book clubs.

The idea is to instill in this unique population a love of reading.  Why? Literacy is a significant protective factor for at-risk youth and is strongly correlated with reducing recidivism, according to Mindy Chipps, Juvenile Counselor.   Harkins House serves over 100 youth per year.  Last year the number totaled 122 with 80% returning to their community.  She added, “Literacy is supported by everyone at Harkins House because books help kids returning to school by dropping barriers, heightening interest, and fostering the love of favorite topics.”

Chipps added that youth residing at Harkins House have the opportunity to actually read a book, unencumbered by stresses and strains from their often untenable home environments.  Most stay 60 days and in that time, many come to see reading a book as a way to escape painful environments.  

Judith’s Reading Room’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  In the ten years since its founding, Judith’s Reading Room has established 99 libraries in 21 countries filled with 128,000 books valued at nearly $1.4 million.  The Freedom Through Literacy Award, initiated in 2015, has disbursed $33,500 in prize money, honoring 31 individual champions of literacy in the United States, the Philippines, Bhutan, Pakistan, Rwanda, Cambodia, Mexico, Australia, Zimbabwe and Greece.

Applications for the 2020 Freedom Through Literacy Award may be found at Judith’s Reading Room Freedom Through Literacy.  The deadline for receipt of completed applications is July 1st.  Winners will be announced by the end of July.

Judith’s Reading Room’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Honors 10 of its ‘Stand Out’ Libraries 

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CONTACT:  Cathy Leiber
484-661-6151
 
 Judith’s Reading Room’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Honors 10 of its ‘Stand Out’ Libraries 

 January 28, 2020 — Lehigh Valley, Pa.  This year marks the 10th anniversary of Judith’s Reading Room, a nonprofit literacy organization, founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, Director, Office of Intellectual Freedom, American Library Association and cousin to the founders.   Its mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  The organization has fulfilled its mission by establishing 98 libraries in 21 countries with 128,000 books valued at nearly $1.4 million.

Judith’s Reading Room chose to celebrate this milestone by honoring 10 of its ‘stand out’ libraries  A special fund of $5,000 has been set aside to purchase new books for each library. 

 The 10 Judith’s Reading Room ‘Stand Out’ libraries are:

TEACH Rwanda, whose founder, Janet Brown, hails from Easton, Pa was the first to be notified that her organization was selected as one of the ten.  In 2016,  Judith’s Reading Room established its library in Rwanda at the Bright School in Muhanga, where public schools and libraries are rare, with a donation of 137 books valued at $1,181. 

“With Judith’s Reading Room’s help to provide the best books from around the world, Bright School is well-known in the community for children’s love of reading, “said Brown, President and Founder of TEACH Rwanda.   

“By supporting the good work of others, we aspire to share and celebrate people who are doing genuinely astonishing work, instilling in others a love of reading,” said Scott Leiber, Co-Founder of Judith’s Reading Room.

In addition to libraries, Judith’s Reading Room holds an annual competition for the “Freedom Through Literacy Award.”  Initiated in 2015, Judith’s Reading Room has disbursed $33,500 in prize money, honoring 31 individual champions of literacy in the United States, the Philippines, Bhutan, Pakistan, Rwanda, Cambodia, Mexico, Australia, Zimbabwe and Greece.

Applications for the 2020 Freedom Through Literacy Award may be found at www.,judithsreadingroom.org.  Deadline is July 1st.  Winners announced end of July. 

Mobile Library for Harkins House near Portland, Oregon

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Dedicated a mobile library to Washington County’s Juvenile Detention Center ‘Harkins House,’ a nationally-recognized model program and short-term temporary residential shelter located near Portland, Oregon. This donation of 219 books, valued at $2,647, is designed to complement their existing curriculum. Literacy is a significant protective factor for at-risk youth and is strongly correlated with reducing recidivism.

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