Closing the gap: Global Give-A-Book uses literacy to reach children below the poverty line

Reading is a fundamental foundation.

There is a link between poverty and literacy — particularly between child poverty and literacy, according to education experts.

For many New Mexicans, that relationship spans generations.

In 2021, the poverty rate was 19.1% — which was the third highest in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

For New Mexico children, 28% of children under the age of 5 live in poverty and 25% of children under the age of 18 live in poverty.

Closing the gap: Global Give-A-Book uses literacy to reach children below the poverty line

Enter Sylvia Maser.

As the founder of Global Give-A-Book, she is determined to close that gap — even if it’s incrementally.

The organization was founded in 2020 when the pandemic shuttered in-person teaching.

She says many New Mexico kids were being left behind.

“We needed to start young,” Maser says. “I was going to start the program for middle school students. No, it needed to be earlier than that. We did this whole program specifically with pre-literacy. What we do in the program is not educating the child. We’re giving them the tools so they can foster the love of reading on their own.”

As the chips fell into place, the mission was clear.

Maser says it’s to give award-winning books to children in underprivileged communities.

“Global Give-A-Book is focused on promoting literacy and a love for reading among children,” she says. “By collaborating with local businesses, schools and partners, we aim to build communities where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and dream through the pages of a book.”

The organization’s model is simple – reach the children at the universal denominator.

“Which is food and the food insecurity that plagues the state,” Maser says.

Global Give-A-Book has partnered with food banks across New Mexico.

Maser says the food banks and pantries provide assistance to the most vulnerable people in the community, from children to seniors and veterans to working-class families. Each provides access to healthy foods.

Maser steps in with the organization to give a brand-new children’s book to the families that are utilizing the food pantries services.

“The need has never been greater and the opportunity for real change has never been more obtainable,” she says. “We provide new, award-winning books to community programs that serve children in need. With a 100% success rate in getting books to the children who need them most, we have achieved many goals.”

As Maser and the dozens of volunteers build the organization, there is a transparency to it all.

The money that is raised goes directly to purchasing new books.

Global Give-A-Book then teams up with Stride Inc. to help individually package the books.

Stride Inc., is a nationally-recognized business for integrated employment of adults with special needs.

Located in Albuquerque since 1981, the name Stride was trademarked in 1982 and was chosen because integrated employment allows special needs adults to make strides in their development and contribute meaningfully to the community.

Maser says the members of Stride have already packaged nearly 20,000 books.

“It’s a community effort,” she says. “It’s important for the entire community to come together and give each other the tools to succeed.”

Maser had the idea for Global Give-A-Book because she experienced first-hand being below the poverty level when she was raising her children.

“We were the family that was getting help from the food banks,” she says. “I barely had enough for the children, much less money to purchase books for them. This organization purposely gives brand-new books to the children because it can give them a sense of ownership and pride.”

Maser says as the restrictions from the pandemic lifted, there were many schools that opted out of getting used children’s books donated.

“Our organization is working to move that needle,” she says. “When administrators or food bank leaders hear of our process, they realize that this program is something different. We’re all working to put the puzzle together.”