Month Long Cesar E. Chavez Community Book Drive for Students in Afterschool and Early Ed Programs
“You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read.” ~ Cesar E. Chavez
(COACHELLA, CA)— This month, Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) and Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC) have partnered up to honor the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez with a community book drive.
“What better way to commemorate the work of civil rights leader, Cesar Chavez than by giving the ultimate gift of empowerment; the gift of reading,” exclaimed Assemblymember Garcia. “For many students the books they receive from CVHC might be the only ones they see outside of a classroom. A book donation may seem small but it will open a large world of possibilities and holds the potential to change the course of a child’s future.”
“Owning your own book can start a child on a life-long path of reading for pleasure. Donating a book to each child who lives in CVHC affordable housing can lay the foundation for book clubs, trading and sharing and have a positive impact on school performance. To this day, I can tell you how I felt when I was given my first book, “A dipper full of stars” when I was 8 years old. Your modest gift will have a very large impact,” shared Julie Bornstein, Executive Director of CVHC.
Donations new or gently-used preschool – 12th grade reading level books would be greatly appreciated and accepted through the duration of March at the following locations:
Coachella Valley Housing Coalition
45-701 Monroe Street #G
Indio, CA 92201
*For more information and hours (760)347-3157
District Office of Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia
48-220 Jackson St. #A3
Coachella, CA 92236
* For more information (760) 347-2360, hours 9am-5pm
“A few weeks ago we celebrated ‘Read Across America Week’ but we need to be promoting reading and literacy on a daily basis. Studies show that children who are not reading at grade level by third grade will likely drop out of high school,” explained Assemblymember Garcia. “Literacy has got to be the priority and we must do all we can to support our educators and the community organizations like the CVHC who go above and beyond to help our students succeed.”
Donated books will be distributed to students who participate in CVHC’s afterschool tutoring and Early Education programs. To mark the culmination of these efforts, Assemblymember Garcia and CVHC will hold a Farmer Worker Appreciation Dinner on Thursday, March 30th, 2017.
Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) serves as the chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife. He represents the 56th district, which comprises the cities and communities of Blythe, Brawley, Bermuda Dunes, Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, Mecca, Oasis, North Shore, Salton Sea, Thermal, Thousand Palms, and Westmorland.
