founded in 2014
About Us
Love Letters for Literacy is a service organization that makes kids LOVE LEARNING THE LETTERS OF THE ALPHABET!
OUR MISSION
Love Letters for Literacy equips families in need with handmade literacy packets to make teaching the letters of the alphabet easy and fun! A child’s ability to succeed in school, attend college, and earn a higher salary all begins with the ability to read. But to read you need to know the letters of the alphabet and the sounds they make. Love Letters sets out to change the fact that lower-income children may know only 1 or 2 letters of the alphabet when entering kindergarten, compared to middle class children who know all 26! Love Letters teaches families how to make learning the alphabet into a game. Love Letters promotes early literacy while encouraging a lifelong love of reading!
Our goal is to equalize the playing field for all kids by removing barriers to literacy and future educational success.
%
of children from low-income communities starting first grade up to 2 years behind their peers
American families live below the poverty line, many lacking the tools needed to teach their children to read often because they are learning to read themselves
American third graders can't read
About Our Founder
Love Letters was founded by Jordan Grabelle when she was ten years old. Jordan is now in college at Duke University and has expanded Love Letters from a small service project into a global nonprofit. Jordan launched Love Letters when she learned that many children were entering kindergarten without knowing more than two letters of the alphabet. As an avid reader she wanted to make a difference and help these children on the road to literacy. She grew up learning her ABCs by playing games with her mom using large colorful foam letters. Since donating foam letters would be too expensive, she thought of an innovative cost effective solution – recruit volunteers to make letter flashcards to donate along with fun games for families to play at home with their children.
What makes us unique
Unlike other organizations which attempt to bridge the literacy gap by donating books, our unique solution empowers families to teach their children to read by providing them with the necessary tools. Love Letters combines the Alphabetic Principle (the alphabet is the building block of literacy and children need to recognize the letters, both in and out of order, and their associated sounds) with the idea of engaging parents to teach this principle while having fun!
faq
How can I volunteer during COVID-19?
Yes, you can volunteer during COVID-19! With daycares and preschools closed, families in lower income neighborhoods need the tools to teach their children to read at home more than ever before. Volunteer at home OR organize a Zoom call to make packets with friends, club members, or family while socializing. Hundreds of new volunteers who have created packets during this crisis!
How do I sign up to Volunteer?
Click here and provide us with your information. We will send you an email with all the information you need.
Where do I have to live to volunteer?
Anywhere!
How old do I have to be to volunteer?
Any age can help as long as you can write the capital letters of the alphabet clearly so a preschooler can read them. We have had volunteers from elementary school to senior citizens.
How long do I need to volunteer?
One hour! In just one hour you can help several children in need learn to read.
Can I participate if I don’t have access to a printer?
Yes, just let us know
How can I recycle or reuse my dried up markers?
We want to do our part to help the environment. We encourage you to recycle or reuse your dried markers. Email us pictures of your efforts: info@lovelettersliteracy.org so we can feature you on our website.
- Recycle the markers with TerraCycle (it’s totally FREE—so cool!):
- Find the right program: If you live in the United States, click here. If in Canada, click here . Check the TerraCycle website for other countries that have drop off sites.
- Download the free prepaid shipping label.
- Send the markers to TerraCycle!
- String marker caps together into colorful bracelets. If you want to donate them to children, please let us know!
- Dip the tip of the marker in water and use it as watercolor style paint.
What supplies do I need?
All you need are markers and paper! Most people already have what they need in their home! The paper can be index cards, card stock, construction paper, even printer paper can work. While it may help to have scissors, paper clips/rubber bands/ or plastic bags …these are not required.
Where do the completed packets go?
All over to communities in need! Some volunteers provide them to local preschools in need while others mail them to organizations that serve at risk children who have requested them.
Can the games be translated into different languages?
Yes! They have already been translated into many languages. Just tell what you need and we can make it happen.
Can I do this alone or in a group?
Both! We have many groups, families and individuals who volunteer!
Can I volunteer more than once?
Yes! We have many volunteers who help us all year long.
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