Ferst Readers

Ferst Readers' mission is to strengthen communities by providing quality books and literacy resources for children and their families to use at home during the earliest stages of development. Ferst Readers' vision is to create better learners, brighter futures, and stronger communities by giving every child under five access to quality books in their homes. Ferst Readers began in Madison, GA and has been providing free books to children since 1999. For the past 19 years, over five million books have been mailed to the homes of children! During the past few years, Ferst Readers has expanded into six other states including Florida (Nassau County). For $36/year a child receives a quality, age-appropriate book each month. The program targets children from birth to five years old because research has shown 80% of a child's brain development occurs between birth and three years old. 61% of lower income homes do not have age-appropriate books accessible to their children which means they more than likely enter kindergarten without the necessary skills for school success. Our Read To Me Library is carefully selected each year for each age group. Along with the book, a parent engagement component is included. Our Leap Into Books Newsletter has questions, relevant vocabulary and activities related to the books each month to assist the parents in reading the book with their child. This newsletter can feature local events and literacy opportunities within the community. It can also spotlight local businesses, groups and individuals who donate and support Ferst Readers. This allows the parents to see who makes this program possible.

Ferst Readers is a non-profit 501(C)3 which provides age-appropriate books for children, birth to five years old, in participating communities. We provide these books through two ways - Community Action Teams and Partner Action Teams. Community Action Teams are the most successful and sustainable ways to promote Ferst Readers within the community. They are usually comprised of retired educators, civic club members, business leaders, chamber members, etc. The Community Action Team spreads awareness of early literacy needs within the community, raises funds within the community (all funds raised in a community, stays in the community) and registers children for the program. Our headquarters will: handle all monies collected, maintain the database with registration information, mail out books monthly to children in participating communities. The Regional Program Coordinator will also be available to help establish a team and help them grow within their community. A Partner Action Team is a specific group (civic, church, neighborhoods) who sponsors a specific group of children in their community and registrations are closed to just that target group.

ACCEPTED VOLUNTEERS: 16+