As Gen. Colin Powell, Founder of America’s Promise Alliance says, “It’s not just a matter of how do we fix schools…it’s a problem of how do we fix the very beginning….how do we start kids reading at the earliest possible age?”  About 1.2 million students drop out of school each year (7,000 children every school day).  17 of the 50 largest U.S. cities have graduation rates lower than 50%.  These alarming numbers are vastly becoming a national epidemic.  Our businesses are suffering and the economy continues to decline, as jobs are being outsourced to other countries.

We are excited to announce that there is an organization in the New Orleans area that will focus on early childhood literacy called The Brown Foundation, Inc.

The Brown Foundation, Inc. is a not for profit organization that provides free books to children from birth to five years of age in the Greater New Orleans area and surrounding parishes.  Our goal is to combat illiteracy, as Louisiana ranks #2 in the country, and promote reading as a lifelong activity before they start Kindergarten.  Illiteracy in children and adults can be linked to almost every socioeconomic problem in America.  Illiteracy has been linked to crime and homelessness, and with both of these on the rise in the City of New Orleans, post Hurricane Katrina, our children still remain at a disadvantage. 

Providing free books to pre school age children is a start as it takes into consideration our past and present educational behaviors, and introduces a brighter assignment of hope.  Whether we like it or not, illiteracy now lives next door to ALL of us.  Phil Bredesen, Governor of Tennessee, provides matching funds for legendary country singer Dolly Parton’s literacy program called “Imagination Library” which provides books to children under five.  Statistics show that when children are read to at home and participate in early childhood literacy programs that it enhances their language, reading, and cognitive skills, and promotes self-esteem and confidence.  The only behavioral measure that correlates significantly with reading scores is the number of books in the home.  The more types of reading materials; the higher students score in reading proficiency and other subject matter.

We are the first and only organization of this kind that currently exists in the entire state.  Presently, every child in foster care in New Orleans receives one free book a month from The Brown Foundation via Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) New Orleans.

Presently, we have teamed up with a global publishing company, Scholastic Books, to receive children’s books at a discounted rate so that we may be able to mail them directly to the homes of children in the State of Louisiana at no charge.  When the child reaches five years old, he/she will receive their first public library card.

In such a short time, and because this program’s goal is to enhance the course of the entire State of Louisiana,The Brown Foundation, Inc. has received formal recognition from Governor Phil Bredesen’s office in Tennessee, reps from legendary country singer Dolly Parton, one hour interview on a CBS radio talk show in Washington, DC (WPGC-AM 1580), article in The Times-Picayune (Accent on Algiers), and letters of support from U. S. Senator David Vitter.  

By making a donation or becoming a Sponsor, you can bring a world of reading into the life of a child.  For only $30.00 a year (the price of a dinner), one child will receive one book a month for 12 months or one year.  These books will be delivered directly to the child’s home.  Click on Get Involved to see what category best fits you.  Please contact us for more information on getting involved.

For more information, go to www.brownfoundationinc.org or call us toll free at 1+ (888) 365-7775.