About Spread the Word Nevada

Spread the Word Nevada is a children's literacy project in Southern Nevada. Learn more. Meet our dedicated Board of Directors.

Our Mission

"Spread the Word Nevada is dedicated to advancing early childhood literacy by placing books into the hands and homes of children within Southern Nevada's at-risk, low income communities. Through community collaboration, mentorship and family partnership programs, Spread the Word Nevada fosters reading and language development opportunities ultimately leading to brighter academic and economic futures for these children. We are dedicated to changing the lives of our at-risk children, one book at a time."

Learn more about the staff members that make Spread the Word Nevada such a success. Or click here to read about some of our programs.

Public libraries are essential centers of learning, but access to books at the library is not enough. The ownership of books is a critical factor in every child's intellectual development. Young children who own books will read them over and over again, memorizing the stories and learning to follow and identify the words on each page. Spread the Word Nevada puts books into the homes of youngsters and gives them the opportunity to develop their own personal library collections for use at home. These books are kept and treasured.

The flagship program of Spread the Word Nevada, Kids to Kids, distributes books in elementary schools throughout Southern Nevada (see a list of the participating schools in the sidebar, right). Enjoy this video of a recent school "adoption."

Learn more about our programs and activities:

Cleaning Parties
Breakfast With Books
Books & Buddies

Read some of the letters from our kids, and our community partners.

During the initial distribution at an adopted school, all pre-kindergarten through 5th grade students receive a canvas tote bag that serves as a "safe-keeping" place for storing their book collections. Five new or gently used books are selected at this kick-off celebration, and then, once a month, one additional book is selected to add to their libraries. If children tire of their books, or outgrow them, they may trade them for other, more appealing or appropriate, titles.

We're so honored to have been recognized for our work on behalf of children!

In 2010: We were honored to receive the Crystal Bookmark Award as part of the Vegas Valley Book Festival. Read more.

In 2009: The Las Vegas City Council proclaimed March 4, 2009, Spread the Word Nevada Day at a special ceremony. Read about it.

In 2008: Spread the Word Nevada was named "Nonprofit of the Year" by In Business Las Vegas Magazine as part of its 2008 Angel Awards. Learn more.

In 2006: Spread the Word Nevada received the Governor's Points of Light Award. The award recognizes organizations for their dedication, commitment, and determination in promoting and supporting volunteerism throughout the state. Spread the Word Nevada won in the category of "Nonprofit Agency/Service Organization."

In 2005: the Nevada Community Foundation recognized Spread the Word Nevada as "Outstanding Charity of the Year" for the organization's work to encourage and promote a love for reading among Nevada's elementary school children through its Spread the Word Nevada program.

Spread the Word Nevada is proud to work with many generous community partners and sponsors. Through these partnerships, books get into the hands of the children who most need them.

The nonprofit corporation, as a whole, is managed by dedicated leaders:

Laurie Hartig, Founder and Director of Programs
Lisa Habighorst, Executive Director

The program is governed by an experienced Board of Directors. Learn more about our Board.

When Spread the Word Nevada was established, little did we know that in addition to having an impact on the lives of children at adopted schools, Spread the Word Nevada's programs would touch literally tens of thousands of additional lives:

the youngsters who give up their books to help others
the senior citizens who come to depend on the social interaction enjoyed while cleaning and repairing the books
the intellectually challenged young adults who beam with pride over their jobs as "book cleaners"
the scouts, church groups, community organizations, school groups, and junior and senior honor societies who plan and carry out book drives and cleaning and sorting duties
the volunteers who see the transformation in children's faces as they select the very first book they can call "their own"
the police officers who have children in high crime neighborhoods approach them not in fear but in friendship to ask for books to take home and keep
the parents and siblings who celebrate the joy of reading or even learn to read or speak English through the Spread the Word Nevada home libraries and programs

You can participate by donating the gently used books your family no longer reads. Hold a book drive in your neighborhood or through a local community organization. Become a volunteer, or send a tax deductible donation.

Show your support by downloading our official Spread the Word Nevada desktop wallpaper. Find out more.

Contact us to get involved!

Find Out More About Spread the Word Nevada