The Kansas Health Foundation has awarded a $25,000 Recognition Grant to the Johnson County Library Foundation to fund the Library’s soon to be announced 6 By 6 Ready to Read: Six Skills by Six Years early childhood literacy program. The grant will provide vital funding for the new program which will inform parents and caregivers of preschool-aged children about early literacy research and how they can help prepare children to be ready to read.
The 6 by 6 Ready to Read will have an emphasis on serving low-income families with special skill-cards. Skill-card kits will feature early literacy activities and the artwork of Brad Sneed, a locally-based children's illustrator. The 6 By 6 Ready to Read program will position the Johnson County Library as an important early literacy resource available to the community free of charge.
The Wichita-based Kansas Health Foundation works to improve the health of all Kansans by focusing in the areas of children’s health, leadership, public health and policy. It was founded in 1985 and has approximately $540 million in assets. The Kansas Health Foundation grants approximately $26 million each year to non-profit organizations, educational institutions, public school districts and state agencies.
The Johnson County Library Foundation's mission is to build an endowment for the Library's collection and secure support for life-long learning programs offered at Johnson County Library. The organization, established in 1998, supports collection enrichment, youth homework assistance, art programs, early literacy initiatives, youth-at-risk programs and technology enhancement. The Foundation is widely known for its signature fundraising event, the Pinnacle Awards, held each fall, which recognizes community leaders in the arts, entrepreneurship, literacy and public engagement. The IRS recognizes the Foundation as a 501(c)3 organization and a 509(a)1 public charity, making all charitable gifts to the foundation 100% tax deductible. For more information, contact the Foundation office at (913) 495-7579 or visit jocolibraryfoundation.org.
