Newsletter

March 2024

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Barkley's Vision:

Every child is a reader, and every child is a book owner.

Barkley's Mission:

Enriching children's love of reading by providing books that they can call their own.

Barkley's Bookshelf celebrates TWO year Anniversary!

Barkley's Bookshelf was founded on March 14, 2022 to fill a literacy gap in Northwest Houston for low-income families and a lack of book ownership for children.

Upcoming Book Fairs

Each Book Fair offers a child up to five books of their choosing, a sturdy tote bag for book storage and a book mark.

Barkley cannot do this without volunteers and donations. Monetary donations or purchases through our Amazon wishlist help us to fulfill our mission.

Cy-Hope HOPE Centers

April 2nd, Windfern Hope Center

April 8th, Longhorn Hope Center

April 9th, Willow Green Hope Center

Learn about Cy-Hope

Boys and Girls Country Spring Festival

May 4th

Learn about Boys and Girls Country

Amazon Wishlist

Click here to support Barkley's Bookshelf with Book Donations.

March 2024

Two very short years ago an idea, a dream to expand children's literacy in our community, took root. Barkley's Bookshelf was founded on March 14, 2022. Five women who are connected by a passion for literacy, championing children's issues, and promoting volunteerism began building the foundation of the organization. Focusing on NW Houston and surrounding communities, we partner with local nonprofits and Title 1 schools to identify children in need of establishing personal libraries to grow their literacy skills. 

 

Our work recognizes literacy is the

foundation of learning, and education for all strengthens our collective human

experience. Since its inception, Barkley's Bookshelf has distributed 7,100+

free books to children, from birth through high school, who lack reading

resources outside of school. We invite you to join us in supporting our vision

for children's literacy: Every child is a reader, and every child is a book

owner. 

 

Yours in reading,

Brenda


Brenda Polivka

Founder

Barkley's Bookshelf

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Our Volunteers are an integral part of our Book Fairs. They share a passion and a knowledge base that is a natural fit when helping our recipients choose their books. Choosing a book can be daunting for a child, especially if this is a new experience where the choice is solely theirs for enjoyment and for keeps. We are grateful for our volunteers.


In addition, Barkley's Bookshelf has an Advisory board that supports the Board of Directors. This board is multi-faceted and gives support where needed to ensure that our community partners and book recipients are best served.

COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Barkley's relies on community partners to find recipients for our Book Drives. We appreciate the partnership with Cy-Hope's HOPE centers!


"Cy-Hope has rallied community partners to make life better for underserved kids and families for over twelve years. Barkley’s Bookshelf has been a terrific community partner for our Cy-Hope Hope Centers. They have mobilized volunteers to serve and make a difference in the community through their organization. Barkley’s activities address community needs that align with Cy-Hopes’ mission to make life better for kids. The Hope Center students have loved the book fairs that Barkley’s have provided and get so excited each time we host an event with them. They have loved getting books and have shown a stronger interest in reading since we started partnering with Barkley’s."

- Genna Peard, former Hope Center Director

Barkley's Bookshelf hosts school-wide Book Fair!


Barkley’s Bookshelf was excited and honored to work with the librarian and staff at Bang Elementary in Cy-Fair ISD to cultivate a school-wide FREE Book Fair!

One thousand students received a new book of their own choice! Please get in touch with us if you are interested in donating or if your company or organization would want to support purchasing new books for a school-wide book fair.

New Community Partner


Carrying Hope's mission is to improve the lives of youth and families who have been impacted by the foster care system through resources, support services, housing, and enrichment opportunities. Barkley's is honored to provide book donations to assist with their mission. To date, we have provided 650 books to this community partner.

Did you know...

Why do we talk about “third-grade level” when discussing literacy?

Applying children’s grades to adults is sub-optimal at best. But it’s a reference point that’s familiar to many, so it’s often used when talking about literacy to illustrate the types of skills people may still need to learn.

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