News Release

Follow the Reader: 
Youth Across America
Recognized for Literacy Service

Washington, D.C. – Third and fourth graders providing books and story hours to children in homeless shelters in Connecticut, middle schoolers reading and mentoring elementary school students during the daily bus ride in Ohio, and teens teaching moose safety to young children through literature in rural Alaska. 

These and other youth-led literacy service projects are being recognized by the National Education Association (NEA) as part of the organization's commitment to literacy and public service.  Since 2000, the NEA has awarded grants to student-led programs through Youth Leaders for Literacy, a joint initiative of the NEA and Youth Service America (YSA).  NEA and YSA developed the Youth Leaders for Literacy program to encourage and celebrate literacy service by America's young people and honor them for doing reading-related activities that benefit others.  Traditionally, literacy service projects begin on NEA's Read Across America Day in March and continue through YSA's National Youth Service Day in April. 

This year, 21 grants totaling more than $10,000 were made to youth projects across the nation. An NEA and YSA panel selected both individual and group projects based on youth leadership, originality, potential impact on the community, and contributions to literacy development. Grants will be used by the youth to fund their winning projects. 

"While NEA is privileged to recognize their efforts with these awards, we cannot match with dollars the value these young people will bring to their communities or to themselves as productive citizens," said NEA President Reg Weaver.  "Something very powerful happens to students involved in literacy service.  They get all the intrinsic rewards of being involved in their community, but they also learn more about themselves and the important role that reading plays in their own lives." 

"Being able to read makes everything else in life possible, including the ability to make meaningful, lifelong contributions to your community through service and civic participation," said Steven Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America.  "These Youth Leaders for Literacy demonstrate the power of youth serving youth not only on National Youth Service Day and Read Across America Day, but every day of the year."

Learn more about the 2004 Youth Leaders for Literacy grant winners [information no longer available].

February 12, 2004

For more information:
Rachael Walker, NEA, 703-237-5455)  
Sharon Brender, Youth Service America, 202-296-2992 x31

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.