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Empowering Young Readers:

First State Joins Linked2Literacy to Support Foster Children in Nebraska

A group of volunteers from First State recently spent their time helping Linked2Literacy fill EMpowerME packs for foster children across Nebraska. For the third year in a row, volunteers packed valuable, age-appropriate books for children in foster care, who often enter the system with minimal belongings.

EMpowerME packs are filled with books that are carefully picked by the Linked2Literacy team to cater to five specific age groups: 0-2, 3-5, 6-9, 10-13, and 14+. These packs give children a sense of belonging and ownership during a challenging period of life. After the backpacks were assembled, volunteers spent an afternoon packing the bags into boxes for delivery.  

Thanks to these efforts and additional support from Linked2Literacy partners, hundreds of children across Nebraska will receive meaningful literacy resources:

• KVC Nebraska: 245 children in foster care will each receive a complete EMpowerME Pack

• Foster Heart + Hope: 80 children will take home a book and an art apron or lunch box from the Artsy Kids and Food Adventures workshops, and another 100 will choose a brand-new book at the Back-to-School Bash Book Fair.

• CASA: 30 kids will have comforting books to turn to during tough moments.

• Camp Catch-Up: 60 siblings will bond over new books at camp.

Our volunteers are grateful for the opportunity to help children across the state through meaningful action and service. Providing children with books that can help them through a difficult time is a priceless opportunity that our volunteers don’t take for granted.

Linked2Literacy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering literacy and providing support for children in need throughout Nebraska. Their EMpowerME initiative exemplifies their commitment to enriching the lives of foster children by equipping them with resources that promote education and emotional well-being.

Learn More About Linked2Literacy

Linked2Literacy inspires generations by providing inclusive books and literacy education through community partnerships. In 2024, they gave over 41,600 books to children and families in our community through donations and partnerships reaching over 9,800 children. Learn more at: Linked2literacy.