On Aug. 27, the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) sponsored a special literacy event for families who rely on the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) for housing. All of the 64 children served by COTS were invited to participate in a fun and inspiring program featuring storytelling and new books, both for a shelter library and for the children to keep. CLiF brought hundreds of brand-new children’s books to the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. In addition to donating $2,000 worth of new books for the three COTS family shelters, CLiF gave each child the opportunity to choose two new books to keep for their own. A wide range of books were offered to make sure that each child found titles to match their interests.The literacy event featured a dynamic storytelling presentation by CLiF Executive Director Duncan McDougall. “Duncan’s enthusiasm gets even reluctant readers excited about books and reading,” said CLiF Communications Coordinator Jennifer Esser. The Children’s Literacy Foundation believes that inspiring kids to read is critical to their future success.

CLiF initiated the Shelter/Low-Income Housing Program in 2000. Since then, CLiF has sponsored more than 60 shelters and low-income housing developments across Vermont and New Hampshire that serve homeless families, women and children in crisis, and at-risk youth. COTS is one of three sites to receive a CLiF Shelter Sponsorship for summer/fall 2009.

“These organizations serve hundreds of children who often have limited access to high-quality books,” explains CLiF Director Duncan McDougall. “Many of their families are undergoing very difficult times financially and emotionally. Few of these families have any books of their own, and most shelters and low-income housing developments have only a handful of dog-eared books available to read.” CLiF aims to change that by making great books and inspiring storytelling available to the children who need it most.

The Children’s Literacy Foundation is dedicated to nurturing a love of reading and writing among rural and at-risk children in Vermont and New Hampshire. Through 16 successful literacy programs, CLiF will touch the lives of more than 13,000 young readers and writers across the Twin States this year.

As a nonprofit organization founded in 1998, CLiF does not receive any federal or state funds for its programs. It relies solely on the generosity of individuals, local companies, social organizations, and foundations. To find out more about CLiF or make a donation, please visit www.clifonline.org or contact CLiF Executive Director Duncan McDougall.

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