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On February 25, 2000 the Literacy for Children Project (LFC) was launched at HUH and sponsored by Howard University Libraries and the District of Columbia Public Libraries (DCPL). There were three generous donors who made the project possible: The Hightower Foundation, R.R. Donnelley, Inc. and Sons and the Gillette Corporation.
 

The goal of the Literacy for Children Program is to act as a catalyst for early literacy development, ensuring that the caregivers of our at-risk patients actively participate in preschool enrichment. The act of reading aloud to a child is the very first and the most important step in the endeavor of LFC. The volunteers model behavior for the attentive listener and reader. Through liaisons with local libraries, families can capitalize on a child’s natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning by getting a library card and taking advantage of the many free programs and services.

Beside the primary caregiver, the other person of great authority in a preschool child’s life is probably his or her pediatrician. The pediatrics residents at HUH agreed to give a book, provided by the LFC project, to each patient at every well-baby visit. This implicit endorsement of reading to infants carries a powerful message that reading aloud is one of the most important activities in which to engage. As children build a small library, they associate letters and images with concepts, thus preparing for future success in reading aloud.

The idea for the Literacy for Children project originated with the director of Volunteer Services at HUH, Mrs. Angela Young Stephens, who wanted to alleviate the illiteracy prevalent among children entering HUH. Mrs. Stephens had the support of Mrs. Sonia E. Swygert, who has for quite some time been devoted to both literacy and health concerns. Many others were instrumental in its launch: Mrs. Maria Salvadore, director of Children’s Services; Ms. Pamela Stovall, the outreach librarian for Children’s Services donated books on behalf of DCPL to the hospital literacy centers and trained the first volunteers. Ms. Mary N. Hernandez, Branch Librarian of Watha T. Daniel Public Library, Mrs. Barbara Harr, DCPL director of Development and Ms. Patricia Pasqual, external change agent of DCPL, have all worked tirelessly in supporting the project. Mrs. Bebe Drew Price, daughter of Dr. Charles Drew, served at its project director until 2004 and Atty. Frederick Archer, senior volunteer, continues to serve the project. Tenesia Lindsey is the project’s administrator.

Books have been distributed to Gage-Eckington Elementary School on several occasions.
This project continues to be in existence at HUH Volunteer Services with student and adult volunteers as readers.

Tenesia Lindsey, Coordinator, Volunteers
202-865-1831

Atty. Frederick Archer, Senior Volunteer
202-865-1865