1. Libraries for at risk youth
New Chapters
Libraries for at risk youth

2. Who We Are
New Chapters is a group of volunteers whose collective passion is to inspire a love of books in at risk youth
We believe that strong reading skills are essential for every child and that a good book can be very therapeutic and offer a vacation from the hardships of every day life

3. What We Do
We facilitate the creation and refurbishment of libraries in residential facilities that support at risk children
We continually add new releases and high interest books to keep our libraries current and enticing to the kids
We provide programming aimed at fostering a love of books and increasing reading skills

4. Benefits of Reading Improves focus and concentration
Increases knowledge & intelligence
Reduces stress
Improves imagination & fosters creative thinking
Increases vocabulary & communication skills
Fosters better writing skills in the reader
Offers a mini-vacation from real life

5. Libraries We Support Youth Emergency Services & Shelter (YESS)
Iowa’s largest and most comprehensive emergency shelter for kids
Provides emergency shelter, crisis nursery care, mental health counseling and family counseling
Provides support to over 800 children (newborn through age 17) each year

6. Libraries We Support Polk County Juvenile Detention Center
PCJD provides safe and secure detention care for juveniles who require custody pending disposition and placement
The vast majority of youth are between 10 and 17 years of age

7. Libraries in Progress Orchard Place Campus
A highly respected residential treatment facility for kids ages 10 – 17 who are suffering from severe emotional trauma and behavioral problems
Residents are in need of intensive mental health services, close monitoring and a highly structured and safe setting
Four residential “houses” on campus

8. How it Started
Developed Summer Reading Program for YESS in 2012 with 2 carts of books
Summer Reading Program 2013 & 2014
Major Building Expansion Plans at YESS included a Library
Library opened in June, 2015 with over 2,500 books
Library allows us to provide our Reading Program year round

9. YESS Library

10. YESS Reading Corner

11. YESS Library Programming
We staff library hours every Tuesday evening
We help kids pick out books appropriate to their reading level and interests
We offer incentive games and prizes to encourage more reading
Currently developing a Reading Skills Enhancement Program for the younger kids

12. Impact of YESS Library
Many kids state that they never used to read but now enjoy it
Numerous kids have told us that the books help take their minds off their situation
The kids ask for books with characters in similar situations that they have faced as it makes them feel less alone
The positive impact has inspired New Chapters to want to make books available to all facilities that cater to at risk kids

13. Polk County Juvenile Detention Center - PCJD
Had an existing library but books were very, very outdated and worn
August, We purged and reorganized the library
We added approximately 600 new books
Volunteers visit detention weekly to foster excitement about books and help the kids pick out a book of interest to them

14. Original PCJD Library

15. We purged a lot of books

16. We Added 600 new books

17. Appreciation and Impact

18. Appreciation and Impact

19. Orchard Place Campus 4 Residential buildings Limited number of books
Books very old and outdated
We are renovating unused rooms in 2 buildings to create libraries
We are accepting donations and purchasing new books to fill those libraries

20. Current Book shelf

21. Room before Renovations

22. New Library in Progress

23. Next Room to Renovate

24. What We Need...
Monetary donations to aid in renovating the second library space at Orchard Place
Monetary donations to provide the YESS library with supplies and incentive prizes
Book Store/Amazon Gift Cards to help us keep all libraries current and to fulfill special book requests from the kids

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