Foster Care Children’s Charity Offers Students Library Programs

(Pasadena, CA)—Foster care children who experience instability in their lives because of numerous placements from home and school usually are behind in their grade level. These same children often find themselves struggling with reading, a fundamental skill needed to promote from one grade to another and achieve further academic success.

With the help of Sherri Ginsberg, Hillsides’ librarian, foster care children and special education students are learning to enjoy reading, a first step to honing their literacy skills. In less than one year, Ginsberg has implemented exciting programs that “bring fun and entertainment into reading” at The Lynn Angell Hillsides Children’s Library, funded by The Angell Foundation.

“I never know what is going to inspire a child and that’s exciting for me,” said Ginsberg who joined Hillsides, the foster care children’s charity in Pasadena, last October after relocating from the East Coast, having worked as a librarian and designed libraries at private schools.

She has asked authors to come and read to the foster care children, talk about writing, and the process of becoming published authors. Producer of “There’s Something About Mary,” Frank Beddor entertained children and students from Hillsides Education Center, a special education nonpublic and private school, with the back story on his first book, The Looking Glass Wars. Alison Bell and L. Rifkin have also made appearances and distributed copies of their books.

The foster care children have discovered the worlds of science fiction and mystery at the boys and girls’ reading clubs. Reading at all levels and different paces, children and youth explore the magic of words and imagination.

“I get to connect with children and see a progression in their response to reading,” said Ginsberg. “They become engaged and inspired by a book they read and if they are happy for a few minutes of a day, I feel like I’ve impacted them.”

Most recently, Ginsberg has walked with the foster care children to San Rafael Library for storytelling.

“They were so proud of themselves for having walked to the library,” said Ginsberg of the outing with the adolescent girls. “We enjoyed ice pops together. I think I might start an exercise book club.”

Library volunteers continue to support literacy programs, reading to special education students and foster care children weekly, maintaining the library, cataloguing books, and assisting in the décor. Volunteer Lisa Gorfain has even shared the wonderful news of the expanding literacy programs to her church congregation, resulting in St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church in San Marino underwriting the reading clubs.

Ginsberg is looking forward to the upcoming special education school year at Hillsides Education Center when she will have 16 groups a week visiting the library. With the turn of one page, Ginsberg can be assured that the children are making great strides in honing their reading skills while discovering a world beyond their own.

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About Hillsides Education Center: As a special education and private school founded in 1982, Hillsides Education Center creates a safe learning environment for students who require individualized attention due to severe emotional disturbances like ADHD or learning disabilities. To learn more about Hillsides Education Center, visit http://www.HillsidesEducationCenter.org.