July's Nonprofit Spotlight is Our Community Reads!
The Mission Statement of Our Community Reads:
Our Mission is to create safe spaces for our Black children to feel seen, valued, empowered and celebrated as we prepare them to be world changers in a Global Society.
We at Our Community Reads are committed to showing an accurate representation of our community, planting seeds of possibilities, and inspiring a love of reading.
We are cultivating spaces where our Black children feel empowered and can become academically confident while inviting our Hero Parents to be Co-Educators alongside us.
Details
Events to support Our Community Reads
Silent Book Club
July 13, 2024
3:00 pm –5:00 pm
Join the Silent Book Club! Taking place on July 13th from 3-5pm at Nancy Park in Ypsilanti. Fueled by reading, snacks, and silence. Bring a chair, blanket, snacks, and a great book! Email [email protected] for more info.
YCS Reading in the Park and Rutherford Pool Party
July 26, 2024
5:00 pm –8:00 pm
A collaboration with Ypsilanti Community Schools and Our Community Reads, hosted at Rutherford Pool. Includes a free BBQ and swim time. Our Community Reads, the Michigan Learning Channel, and the BBQ will be from 5-6:30pm. The swim time is from 6-8pm and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian - no exceptions. Rutherford Pool is located in Ypsilanti at 975 Congress Street.
Resources
Our Community Reads is building a healing community for those who often have layered barriers and challenges that are not easily put into words. Creating spaces where Black children feel safe to be kids, be curious, learn, make mistakes, become more self aware and aware of the larger world around them and the amazing possibilities that are available to them. They are committed to families who live in the 48197/48198 zip codes and within Washtenaw County. Please sign up for their monthly newsletter which can be accessed on their website to learn more.
Volunteering and Spaces Needed
Volunteer opportunities are available with their Silent Book Club and additional community reading groups that they are striving to create. Their Silent Book Club is always on the look out for cool spaces to meet and would love input or businesses that would be interested in sponsoring them for a few hours. They would also like to continue their Books and Brews series fundraiser. Breweries or restaurants who would be interested in sponsoring an event for two hours are welcome. Please email them at [email protected].
Other Support
Besides cash donations (which can be sent via their website or by check) there's plenty of ways to give. Gift cards for snacks (young people always needs yummy snacks), gift cards for bookstores (Blackstone, Amazon, First Book,) toiletries (deodorant/toothpaste/bodywash), food for events, and gift cards/cash donations for transportation for field trips i.e., MegaBus, Amtrak, Spirit, Delta or Southwest Airlines.
Why Zing Loves Our Community Reads
We firmly believe that all children should have access to reading and to the security of safe, nurturing community. Children in Black communities have been historically less supported and in turn there is an opportunity to close the literacy gap between youth of different races, ensuring that all kids are empowered to confidently set forth into the world. We love Our Community Reads because they're working hard to provide children with the sanctuary and stories that will help them become the wonderful people they're destined to be.