Literature for All of Us

Literature for All of Us

NLD ID #90690
Literature for All of Us logo

Contact Information

5940 N Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, IL 60660

Primary Contact

Ruth Orme-Johnson

(847) 869-7323

ruth@literatureforallofus.org

Hours of Operation

9am - 5pm

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Program Overview

Founded in 1997 by Executive Director Karen Thomson, Literature for All of Us has been committed to literacy growth and development through a unique, trauma-informed book group model. We believe that literacy is a basic and essential human need.

Literature for All of Us has grown from serving 15 low-income teen mothers, to serving nearly 700 participants this year and over 9,000 participants to date. Starting with a single book group, the organization now serves over 30 book groups in 14 schools and community organizations. Literature for All of Us book groups serve young adults living in under-resourced areas of Chicago and Evanston.

Please visit our website for more information: www.literatureforallofus.org

Cost Info

Annual budget between $500,000 and $1,000,000.

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

"I grew up where you were made fun of if you were smart; where you were talked about and teased being called names...I was never told if college was important... Hiding my story was something that I was used to until I met Literature for All of Us."

-Book Group Participant

Leaving Home by Adrienne Scanlon-Rodriguez

I left with the idea

that there was greener grass

on the other side.

Soon as I shut the door on us,

I felt our invisible strings detach themselves.

I lay at night now hoping

you were right next to me.

How could I let things get this far? Will you ever forgive me?

Can I forgive me?

One day, I hope that we can coexist in this world

knowing that I did what I had to do for me.

I left to find who I needed to be.

Maybe for you.

Adrienne was a participant in our book group program last year at Simpson Academy for Young Women, an alternative school providing support to pregnant and parenting young women in Chicago.

This program listing was last updated: April 18, 2018.

All information has been provided by this organization. Do you see outdated information? Please contact NLD Support.

Education services

  • Read and write better
  • Find a family literacy program