Unleashing Potential Receives more than 1,800 Books from ‘Books for STL Kids’

Unleashing Potential (UP) in St. Louis announced in June that it received 1,801 books from Books for STL Kids. The books help support literacy in Unleashing Potential’s after school and early childhood education (ECE) programs. The contribution helps empower more than 600 children (ages 6 weeks–13 years old) from under-resourced communities in St. Louis City with more opportunities to engage in reading and storytelling.

School readiness, and ultimately a child’s academic success, are greatly impacted by access to and the quality of education. Children exposed to high quality learning environments, including access to books and reading, are more likely to exhibit superior language, greater cognitive and social skills, and better relationships with classmates.

“This book donation means so much to our programming, particularly for our after-school scholars,” said Darlene Sowell, president and CEO of Unleashing Potential. “Books for STL Kids stepped in and provided three brand-new books for each student in our after-school care, impacting over 500 students in after school alone. By providing a love of reading, we are helping our children read at a proficient rate, leading to increased learning in all subjects.”

UP’s goal is to establish opportunities for children and youth that lead to long-term social-emotional and academic success. UP provides tuition relief to students of its licensed and dually accredited, evidence-based ECE and Out-of-School Time programming, on-site occupational/physical therapies for children with special needs, access to technology and STREAM (science, tech, reading, engineering, arts, math) activities, and social-emotional support to help children and their families focus on learning.

Books for STL Kids has enriched learning for UP children and youth since 2019. UP is proud of the achievements of its students, the engagement of families, and support from partners, like Books for STL Kids.