THE BROOKE JACKMAN LIBRARY INITIATIVE In partnership with the Books for Kids Foundation, the Foundation is set to imminently open its fourth NYC library, at the Family Justice Center in Brooklyn. This follows the March 2009 opening of its third library, also at the Family Justice Center. The libraries are carefully designed to foster a love for reading by making books accessible to all. Each library comes equipped with an age-appropriate book collection carefully selected to reflect the backgrounds and life experiences of the children who attend. Libraries include comfortable chairs, rugs, listening centers, motivational posters, and decorations. These warm and welcoming environments encourage children to explore the world of books.
This environment is especially important at the Family Justice Center libraries, which are for children who have experienced violence and turmoil. These libraries give them the opportunity to explore the magical world of reading in a safe and comfortable environment.
In 2005, the first library was dedicated at the after-school program at P.S. 111 and the second was established at the Grand Street Settlement Child Care Center on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Future sites are being planned.
BOOK IN HAND INITIATIVE
In honor of what would have been Brooke Jackman’s 30th birthday, on August 28, 2008, the Foundation began a tradition of giving a brand-new book to every child in every one of its programs. Nearly 10,000 disadvantaged children throughout the New York area received this gift to jump-start their reading as they got ready to go back to school. The books were handed out through the Foundation’s many programs and partnerships, which operate in numerous locations, such as homeless shelters and other city, agency, and school organizations. The books were distributed throughout a two-week period, beginning on August 28, Brooke’s birthday, and ending on September 11. During this time, as part of the book-donation initiative, special guests read to the children at various neighborhood sites.
THE BROOKE JACKMAN FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS
The Brooke Jackman Family Literacy Programs are designed to engage parents (and guardians) and their children in literacy-based activities. At each session, participants receive take-home literacy packages, age-appropriate books, and concrete strategies in order to support their child’s learning during the workshops and at home. It is our hope that the magical world of books, in particular those works chosen by our Advisory Board, will promote parents and children reading aloud together each night.
In January 2004, we began a partnership with the St. Nicholas Preservation Corporation (St. Nick’s) to offer our first intensive family literacy program in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The initial program began with 100 families and has since expanded to include a partnership with the YM & YWHA. Today it reaches more than 1,000 families in Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Washington Heights. Each participating family’s dynamic is unique—there may be one parent or a couple and up to two children in the same grade. Sessions are offered for children ages 5 through 12, and child care is generally provided on-site for children under the age of 5.
We also provide all participants with a nourishing meal before beginning the workshop. Graduates of the Brooke Jackman Literacy Workshop Series receive our Brooke Packs.
BACK TO SCHOOL WITH BROOKE PACKS
We are proud to announce that this initiative is one of our fastest-growing programs. Since 2002, Brooke Jackman Foundation volunteers have distributed more than 8,250 Brooke Packs to children in the metropolitan area and beyond.
This year, 2,000 children will receive a Brooke Pack on their return to school. Many times, this backpack is their sole personal possession. They are designed to meet the needs of disadvantaged children when other resources are not available. Each one is filled with age-appropriate books, a Walkman, batteries, books on tape, school supplies, and notebooks.
Brooke Packs are also sent as graduation gifts to children and families participating in the Brooke Jackman Literacy Workshop Series. When requested, the Foundation will respond to the dire needs of those less fortunate outside the New York area. In 2004, we distributed Brooke Packs to 200 schoolchildren in the Gulf States who had been affected by Hurricane Katrina.
SCOPE Camp Initiative
Since 2003, The Brooke Jackman Foundation has provided 120 camp scholarships to low-income, inner-city children who would benefit the most from Summer Camp Provides an Edge (SCOPE) two-week programs. The Foundation strongly believes in the educational and developmental benefits offered by attending camp. As an important adjunct to school, camp can help children develop self-esteem and social skills in a safe environment.
BROOKE'S BOOKS Currently based at PS 111 in Manhattan, this literacy-based afterschool program encourages growth of both literacy and expressive communication skills of children in grades K-2. Each session of the program consists of four major components: homework help, reading, art, and movement. To encourage a passion and respect for reading, children explore books available to them in the Brooke Jackman Library through read alouds, independent reading, and partner reading. Children then work together to create masks based on characters from selected stories that they were introduced to in the library. Afterwards, children participate in movement activities and improvisational theatre games that help them become more aware of their bodies. As a culmination to the program, the children perform the selected stories for their families, teachers, and peers using the masks they created.
“Thank you for turning our lives upside down...in a good way.”
-– Parents from the Family Literacy Program.
