NEO Biz: Importance of Reading

Based in the Miles and Broadway area of Cleveland, Literacy in the H.O.O.D. (Helping Out Our Disenfranchised) addresses Chrishawnda Matthew’s concern that many students don’t have books to read at home. She questioned how much the extended time away from the classroom affects students’ ability to read upon returning to school. 

“Sixty-six percent of Clevelanders are functionally illiterate,” says Matthew. “So how are they helping their babies at home? The least I could do was make sure kids had books to read.” 

She implored friends, family and colleagues to clear out any children’s books they might have, then applied for a grant and was able to get funding to purchase more books to distribute.