My Home Library
Help local students stock their home libraries while addressing book deserts and literacy gaps
The Challenge is Urgent
Nearly six in 10 third graders in our region can’t read proficiently, according to M-STEP (Michigan’s state assessment) standards. In Detroit, only 5% of fourth-grade students read at grade level. This isn’t just about test scores: children from low-income households are six times more likely to drop out of high school if they lack strong reading skills by third grade, and more than 40% of families in our region face this risk.
Our Solution
United Way’s My Home Library initiative addresses book deserts and literacy gaps across Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. By providing children with free, high-quality books of their choice, the program fosters a love of reading, builds home libraries and supports academic achievement.
In partnership with Scholastic, Inc., United Way hosts sponsored My Home Library book fairs at local elementary schools, providing more than 20,000 books to 4,000 students. This initiative also engages community volunteers and corporate partners to help students select five free books — further supporting literacy development and academic success.
If you are interested in partnering with us, contact Kristen Cibulskis at 313-466-2624 or Kristen.Cibulskis@LiveUnitedSEM.org.