Book Buddies Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Book Buddies?

Book Buddies is a program of The Molina Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose purpose is to get books into the hands of underserved children that commonly do not have access to books of their own.

Book Buddies does three things. We:

• Deliver – We deliver books to children and families through established community networks
• Engage – We engage children to read and follow positive role models
• Link - We link with local literacy resources to encourage family literacy

2. Who gets the books?

The main group of children that get the books are those living in low-income areas, those whose families may just be learning English, and those undergoing stressful life situations such as those in transitional or foster care as well as those in hospitals and shelters. We primarily reach them by distributing books at schools. We also get books to children attending medical visits in low-income areas, community-based programs such as The Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA organizations, faith-based community organizations and library literacy programs.

Our primary focus is to get children books, often their first book. We also support Family Literacy and have started libraries in adult school settings to assist parents learning English for the first time. We include both adult and children’s books in such settings to enable adults to read to children as they learn.

3. How are you different from other literacy programs?

Our strength and focus is getting books to children and providing that “spark” that comes with receiving a book from a positive role model. We link to established ongoing reading and literacy efforts through classroom promotions that support the teacher’s existing plan, linking to community-based reading programs that include reading to children but do not typically provide them with free books to take home. We provide positive and inspiring role models from the community, sports figures, or celebrities interested in reading to children. Finally, we link with organizations that get school-related supplies, like backpacks, to underserved children. We try to add a fun book to that backpack so children embrace reading.

4. What can I do to help?

We always need donations of new or gently loved books. Here are some ideas:

• Individuals can donate books, volunteer time to help process books for distribution, or make cash donations to help keep all activities going.
• Individuals can partner with schools or community organizations to request books be distributed at their site.
• Organizations hosting events may conduct a book drive.
• Publishers can donate new books or overruns.
• Schools can donate books left over from book fairs or special printings.
• Schools, service clubs, businesses or community groups can host book drives.