Blog

“It was nice to see students connect over these books to discuss stories and connect with others over shared interests. In the final project, a student wrote about Diary of a Wimpy Kid, No Brainer- ‘I like how there are random things in the book.’ Another student wrote about Saving Sunshine – ‘I liked when they saved all the turtles but I didn’t like how other people judged other people by their culture.'”

–Harbor House Ministries program staff

Each school year and summer, the Oakland Literacy Coalition invites applications for Reading Everywhere Action Grants of funding and books in support of innovative literacy projects that engage Oakland children and youth in community-based, non-school settings. 

One of the OLC’s earliest programs, our action grants have supported more than 100 community groups to host literacy projects and distributed more than 100,000 books over the past decade. 

In the past year, we awarded $9,775 in total and provided books in different languages to 58 organizations for their reading initiatives. Past recipients have reported significant positive impacts, such as reaching more families and children, offering more culturally-affirming books to spark interest in reading, and communicating with the participants the importance of learning and literacy. 

We are excited to announce that this fall, we have awarded grant funding and new books to 25 organizations for the 2024-2025 school year cycle!

Names of Grantees and Projects:

• Afro Urban Society,  Ngano Dzedu: Our Stories
• Aspire Education,  Community Reading Buddies Celebration
• BANANAS, Books for Bedtime Fair
• Brighter Beginnings, Early Literacy Group Connection 
• Brighter Beginnings, Family Support Program Fall Family Event 
• Community Child Care Council (4Cs) of Alameda County, Oakland RISE Family Resource Center
• Community Education Partnerships, OK Program’s Spring Readathon!
• Community Education Partnerships, Spring Break Read-A-Thon at Family Matters Shelter
• Community Education Partnerships,  Spring Break Read-A-Thon at Matilda Cleveland Transitional Family Housing 
• Community Education Partnerships, Spring Break Readathon at Elizabeth House
• Community Education Partnerships, Spring Break Readathon at Oakland Housing Authority
• East Oakland Boxing Association, Books, Hooks, and Homework: Knockin’ Out Success After School Program 
• Ecomonster, Early Literacy for Ecomonster Kids
• Family Support Services, Let’s Read
• Harbor House Ministries, Family Literacy Night
• La Clinica de La Raza, Inc., Youth Heart School-Based Health Center Read While You Wait 
• Literacy is Fundamental/Who am I Today?, Preschool Family Reading Workshop
• Lotus Bloom/Room to Bloom,  Fall Fair Festival
• Memorial Tabernacle Church, Tabernacle Reading Corner
• Oakland Bible Church, Read Along with Santa Community Event.
• Oakland Elizabeth House, Book Club Nights
• Oneida Cordova, Reading and Roller SkatingAt Defremery Park 
• St. Mary’s Center Preschool, Reading is a Joy Family Take Home Kits
• The IKUNA Group, Reading Rugby
• The Real Love Project,  Children’s Fair

We extend our warmest congratulations to all the grant recipients! Their commitment to promoting literacy and community engagement is truly inspiring. Let’s stay connected with these incredible organizations and support their efforts to make a lasting impact in Oakland