Youth Led Non-profit Donates 10,000 Books to Kids in Need

According to the U.S. Department of Education, sixty-one percent of low-income families have no books at all in their homes for their children. Research shows the most successful way to improve the reading achievement of low-income children is to increase their access to print. Yet, 61% of low-income families do not own any children’s books (Bridges; Children’s Literacy Foundation). Code Read is working to change that and will hold its seventh book fair on November 9, 2018, from 8:30am -3:00pm, at Quail Valley Elementary in Palmdale.
Students have had the opportunity to complete tasks assigned by their teachers in order to earn a ticket into the free book fair. The book fairs are staffed by high school students who are passionate about giving back to the community.
Founded in May 2016 by student Mackenzie Krestul, Code Read is an advocate for literacy in low income communities and aims to encourage a lifelong love of reading. By distributing free books to children from low-income families, Code Read hopes to provide every child with an equal opportunity to increase their academic growth through reading. “It has been shown that children who love to read have an increased level of literacy and generally perform better in the classroom. We believe that the students we serve treasure the books they chose because they earn them versus Code Read just giving each child books. Nearly two-thirds of children in low income schools are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade. If we can inspire and motivate even one child to read, then we deem Code Read a success. Reading is magical, incredible, and essential. Code Read believes we can change the world one book at a time,” Mackenzie Krestul, Founder.
Mackenzie has passed the torch to her brother, high school senior Jordan Krestul, while she attends HOFSTRA University in New York. With the support of her family, Mackenzie has been awarded grants from organizations including; The Nora Roberts Foundation, The Walmart Foundation, The Winnick Family Foundation, The Bolton Foundation, International Paper Company, and The Charitable Foundation. With donations and book grants from First Book, they have accumulated over 10,000 new books for students in need. Mackenzie hopes to open an additional chapter of Code Read at her university.
About Code Read: Code Read is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2016, by Mackenzie Krestul-Code Read’s mission is to provide recreational books to elementary school children in low income communities. By providing books to children who would otherwise not be able to afford them, we hope to increase literacy and foster a lifetime love of reading.
About Palmdale School District: Established in 1888, Palmdale School District serves 19,500 students across 26 schools in Palmdale, California, ranking it among the largest school districts in the state. Palmdale School District is focused on preparing its students to compete in the 21st century and accomplishes this by building excellence through student achievement. Recognizing that a school district’s two greatest assets are its students and staff, Palmdale School District is dedicated to cultivating a safe and healthy academic environment where both students and staff can reach their full potential.