Sponsored by Literacy ConneXus and Together for Hope (the Rural Poverty Initiative of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Books for the Border(TM) provides “libraries” for families living in poverty along the Rio Grande River Border in Texas.  Books for the Border is a spin-off or “spill-over” of Books of Hope initiated by Carol Prevost of Together for Hope.  The libraries consist of a modest shelf unit which contains a Bible, a Spanish-English dictionary and an assortment of children’s books.  The books and shelf units are donated items provided to families in conjunction with local entities such as the Texas Migrant Council, Texas A & M community centers, and elementary schools.  Churches across Texas provide the books and shelf units.  Coordination for the project is provided by Literacy ConneXus.

 Books for the Border(TM) is a collaborative effort which began with the identification of seven Texas counties as among the twenty poorest in the United States (by Together for Hope).  In the past year Literacy ConneXus has been identifying stakeholders and building relationships in Dimmit, Hidalgo, Maverick, Presidio, Starr, Zavala, and Willacy counties.  It was determined that providing books for families living in poverty is a strategic first step for developing family literacy[i] programs resulting ultimately in lifting families out of poverty.

For more information about Books for the Border(TM), contact Lester Meriwether at 1 877 696-9898 or via e-mail at Lester@literacyconnexus.org.