JWI’s National Library Initiative creates libraries in battered women’s shelters to give children suddenly displaced from their homes a quiet place to read and study, and a chance to  shield their learning from the devastating challenges in their lives. 

With support from over 150 individual donors and exclusive corporate sponsor Verizon Wireless, JWI has established two Chicagoland libraries – Community Crisis Center in Elgin, and Rainbow House outreach facilities in the Little Village and Beverly Chicago neighborhoods. In 2007, JWI will establish two new libraries - at A Safe Place transitional apartments in Zion and Mutual Ground shelter in Aurora. 

Upcoming opportunities to help support this important project:

Sponsor a book collection!  Be a library ambassador!
Individuals or entire groups or classes can be JWI Chicagoland Library Ambassadors,   Ambassadors are responsible for providing A Safe Place, Mutual Ground, Community Crisis Center, or Rainbow House with a minimum of 75 new children’s books – a gift that will last for many years to come.  Gift cards and/or cash contributions that will also support the shelter can be collected in addition to books. Ambassadors can even read their favorite books on tape or CD so that the children in shelters can follow along while reading by themselves. All ambassadors receive special certificates and acknowledgement in Read All About It, JWI’s national Library Initiative newsletter.

Make a contribution
For more information or to make a contribution to support the JWI Library Initiative in the Chicagoland community, contact Becky Adelberg, Chicago Community Outreach Coordinator, at badelberg@jwi.org or 847.373.3535.