YOUNGSTOWN — The Raymond J. Wean Foundation awarded Lit Youngstown a $1,600 matching Neighborhood SUCCESS grant to purchase books for approximately 400 children enrolled in the Alta Head Start program this fall.

The grant proposal referenced studies showing that children who grow up with books in the home have higher literacy scores and a greater interest in reading. According to Lit Youngstown Outreach Coordinator Cassandra Lawton, “We would love for all children in Youngstown to grow up with books they can call their own.”

The organization is seeking additional funding to purchase additional books for elementary children in Youngstown from First Book, a foundation that offers high quality children’s books at deep discounts to nonprofits.