Families and Books
Families and Books was established in 1999 at the bequest of Mayor Thomas M. Menino with a grant from Target. The goal of the program was to give children in shelters access to books. Realizing that more was needed than simply giving books to a site, Families and Books developed into a program with the goal of enabling parents, volunteers, and staff in family shelters in Boston to strengthen the literacy skills of the children residing in these shelters. Families And Books serves homeless families in Boston at family shelters, confidential sites, teen shelters, and recovery sites.
Families and Books teaches parents the skills needed to support their child's literacy development. To do this, Families and Books leads parent workshops and provides monthly activity sheets and other tips for reading with children. Volunteers at sites are also taught similar skills. In addition, staff learn ways to encourage reading and literacy-building skills with parents.
The Program Goals:
- Model and teach parents skills to help them support their child's literacy development.
- Encourage parents to develop their child’s oral skill development through conversations, songs and word games.
- Increase the comfort level of parents and children while reading a book or magazine.
- Educate volunteers in the development and growth of a child’s literacy skills. Encourage reading time during every play session.
- Partner with shelter staff in developing literacy programs at the site.
- Families And Books programming and libraries have become an integral part of sites.
- Each shelter has a library with an average of 3.5 books per child. Books reflect the differences based on the age and diversity of children at a shelter. Books are replenished throughout the year.
- Reading incentive posters are used at 75% of sites.
- Many sites have mandatory reading time with their volunteers.
- Book Clubs have been established at teen shelters. These clubs have increased reading among teens and children.
- Summer reading programs are established at the majority of sites.
- Horizons for Homeless Children
- Massachusetts Family Literacy Coalition
- Jewish Community Relations Council
- A "Reading While You Wait" room is currently being developed at a site of the Department of Transitional Affairs Current Sites
| Asian Advocacy | Casa Myrna Vasquez (3 sites) | Casa Nueva Vida |
| Crittenton | Crossroads | Dennis McLaughlin House |
| Elizabeth Stone House | Family House Shelter | Hildebrand |
| Margaret's House | Mary Eliza Mahoney House | Nazareth Residence |
| Portis Family Shelter | Project Family Independence (I and II) | Project Hope |
| Renewal House | Re-Vision House | Salvation Army |
| Shelter Inc. – Boston Family Shelter | Sojourner House | St. Ambrose |
| St. Mary's Shelter | Temporary Home for Women and Children |
There is no formal application process for a shelter to become partners with Families and Books. However, a shelter director must demonstrate a commitment to both maintain the library and to encourage the development of children’s literacy skills in the shelter. To learn more about how you can be involved in Families and Books, please contact Katie Sullivan, 617-918-5286 or email her at: Kathleen.Sullivan.JCS@cityofboston.gov.
©2009 The City of Boston