Reading is a fundamental life skill, essential for academic success and employment opportunity.  In our increasingly technological world, illiteracy is a serious barrier to success as an adult.  Therefore, one of the most important skills a child can acquire is the ability to read with ease and accuracy. Unfortunately, at least 61% of low-income families have no books in their homes; attend schools with no libraries; and have limited access to public libraries.

RIF in Chicago believes reading should be a part of every child’s life and book ownership can inspire a lifelong interest in reading. Since 1972, RIF in Chicago has been building a community of readers by distributing over three and a half million books to ethnically diverse, economically depressed, inner city children. During the 2012-13  school year, 130,000 books will be distributed to 60,000 children!