Front Row: Nancy Witherell, Nancy Meagher. Back Row: Jacqueline Duffy, Mary Weatherby, Marley Jallah-Deveaux, Marlene Correia.

Cape Cod, Books for JRI Kids - Our objective is to put books in the hands of children serviced at Justice Resource Institute (JRI). JRI encompasses a broad range of specialized schools and unique programs including behavioral health clinics, trauma services, educational and residential services, juvenile justice, and foster care.

MACURE, Twice Told: Bringing Bilingual Children's Books to the Holyoke Community Library - There is a large community of Haitian-Creole speaking families in Holyoke, yet the library collection is very sparse. This project would expand access to children and families in the community while honoring their native language.

Nobscot, Project Just Because Back to School Program - Minigrant funds will be used to purchase much needed school supplies and backpacks for students in preschool through grade 12 for whom their schools do not offer support. Teacher resources and materials also will be provided to teachers requesting specific materials to meet needs of their classrooms.

SERRC, Books at Buttonwood - In a partnership with Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford, readers will be stationed at different animal points and read a fictional book about a particular animal. At the end of each section of reading, a coloring book page will be handed to the children. After rotating to each station, children will be able to collate their pages into a coloring book. There also will be a table set up so that children can create their own bookmark/crafts. A bag of bird seed will be handed out to each child. promoting literacy, education, and family engagement. In addition, this year we have strong representation from local libraries to help bridge the gap between this event and long-term literacy habits