Book'em is great organization that is helping bring books and literacy to the underserved and underprivileged kids of the metro Nashville schools. This organization's focus on literacy and getting books into the hands of every child really speaks to me personally as an avid reader that was privileged to grow up with books and parents that read to me from birth. Book'em's mission to serve the kids that aren't as privileged with books and reading and literacy is really what lead me to want to serve on the board.
I am proud to be a volunteer Reading is Fundamental reader with Book'em. We visit a classroom five times each year to read and to distribute books to the students. I also serve as a member of the Board. Book'em has a number of great programs in addition to RIF that are aimed at providing children with books of their own from birth through high school. Helping kids become readers is a gateway to help them expand their horizons and their dreams. Kids who have books at home do better in school and life than kids who don't.
Mary Silva Doctor
Book’em is so critical to youth literacy in our city. Book’em gets volunteer readers in classrooms to share their love of reading and donates books to kids who need them most, giving them stories that they can read again and again.
Reading opens up imaginations and gives kids the confidence to be lifelong learners. And Book’em is helping kids do just that.
I have seen firsthand the changes this nonprofit makes in the lives of children here in Nashville. It is such an incredible organization!
I started working with Book'em as a volunteer during company sponsored volunteer days. I was truly inspired by how many children they are able to serve in the Nashville area through management of the local RIF program. Each classroom gets to experience the magic of reading which opens the door to a whole new world of imagination! Each child in a RIF class is given 5 BRAND NEW books each year! I can't imagine growing up without books! There are still several elementary schools that Book'em hasn't yet been able to expand their services to. They need our help to continue grow their program so that each elementary school and grade level benefit from the magic of reading and book ownership. These children are the next generation.
I am now a board member and had the privilege to participate in Read Me Day at Carter Lawrence elementary school. These children are amazing! And they all love to read. We need to feed that hunger. We need to improve the literacy of our youth. Book'em/RIF volunteers do this every time they step into a classroom and read a story. I am so honored and humbled to be a part of this amazing and inspiring organization!
ChanceLight partnered with Book'em a few years ago to develop a Corporate Sponsorship program that would allow employees to adopt classrooms and potentially even a school. With the help of Book'em, in less than 2 years, ChanceLight was able to go from adopting 6 classrooms to an entire elementary school. The work that Book'em does to help children is astounding. They truly care about every student and work diligently to make sure all children have someone to look up to and to read to them. ChanceLight's mission is: helping change the direction of children's lives and we truly believe Book'em aligns with that mission.
I've been working with Book'em for 7 years now and have continually seen them accomplish a lot with a little. The staff is small but they work hard every day to make sure that kids have access to books and readers. Great group of people!
When I grew up in Germany (at a time way before cable TV, internet and Ipads) we hung out for hours at the local library. I remember getting lost in mythological stories as well as adventures of master detectives. Books were never scarce in our lives!
I had no idea how many elementary school children don't have sufficient access to books and thus don't have a fair chance to enhance their reading skills.
I am glad to be a volunteer for RIF! I get to read books to and with "my students" a few times a year. I know, they will be waiting for me to come to class and distribute books that will become their own!
What a win-win situation. I get to enjoy reading children's books and contribute a bit to creating interest in reading and increasing the ability to imagine and to connect
I love volunteering at Book'em! As a former educator I enjoy being able to go into classrooms and read to children and see the joy it brings them when they get to pick out their brand new books! I am amazed at the number of books that are processed and given away through the many programs that Book'em provides to the underserved children in Nashville.
Book'em is a fantastic group fulfilling a definite need in our community. The mission of Book'em is simple- putting books in the hands of Nashville's youth that need it most. Through its flagship program Reading is Fundamental, volunteer readers go into Nashville schools 5 times per school year and read to the children. Most importantly, though, each child takes home a brand new book after each reading. I can speak from personal experience that while the children love the story time, they most cherish having their very own new book to take home. If you are looking for a nonprofit having a real impact in the community, Book'em meets that criteria!
