Vision

Many students visiting the Book Exchange read below and sometimes well below their grade level. The pandemic exacerbated this situation. An American Educational Research Association study found that "a student who can't read on grade level by the 3rd grade is four times less likely to graduate by age 19 than a child who does read proficiently by that time. Add poverty to the mix, and a student is 13 times less likely to graduate on time than his or her proficient, wealthier peer." The work of the Book Exchange directly impacts this sad equation by focusing on raising Marin’s under-resourced students' literacy levels, thus helping them progress through their upward educational opportunities and into adulthood. Consequently, they are far better equipped for more meaningful and successful lives. Our volunteers are razor-focused on addressing this inequity. It is the passion and mission of the volunteers at the Book Exchange of Marin.

Goals

1. 1.During this school year, the Book Exchange will give approximately 20,000 free books to about 2,000 students from Marin's most under-resourced communities. Each year, our goal is to expand the number of students that we reach and the number of books we provide and to have a better understanding of the type of books that will have the greatest impact on increasing our student's literacy levels.
2. 2.We have begun a Community Partners program. We are now partnering with Marin nonprofits that serve our lowest-income, most at-risk students. Partnerships have been established with Ritter Center, Community Action Marin, Operation Warm Wishes, the Canal Alliance, and more. This Community Partners program brings our services directly to children in the greatest need that are served by our partners.
3. 3.Increase awareness of our organization and the highly beneficial effect we have on Marin's most under-resourced students. We have developed exceptionally strong relationships with media outlets and this year alone, we have received seven articles in local newspapers explaining the impact of our organization. We were also featured on Marinterviews, a television program focusing on nonprofits.