Nonprofit News is a monthly Gazette publication featuring stories submitted by nonprofit organizations and individuals in the Pikes Peak region. Submit content and events for consideration to nonprofitnews@gazettedev.gazette.com.

According to the Children’s Literacy Foundation, 68 percent of American fourth graders do not read at a proficient level, and one out of six children who do not read at age level by the end of third grade will not graduate from high school.

Inadequate access to reading materials and the inability to purchase or borrow books creates barriers to improving literacy rates. Communities that provide residents with easy access to reading materials see improvements in school outcomes as well as job performance.

Greccio Housing’s Resource Team realized the importance of access to reading materials and implemented a Grab-N-Go library program in early 2014. Later that year, Greccio submitted a project request to Leadership Pikes Peak (LPP) to build, install and stock six libraries. The project was selected to be part of LPP’s LNOW! program for young professionals.

After many hours of design, building, painting and community outreach, the LNOW! team installed new Grab-N-Go libraries in December 2014. In Spring 2015, the Leading Edge Teen Program adopted four more libraries, and this fall, the Encore Leadership Team adopted the final libraries.

Greccio is proud to be a collaborative partner with LPP, whose teens, rising professionals and seasoned community leaders have made an impact on over 800 lives. Volunteers responsible for restocking each library have reported that residents of all ages are lined up waiting for new books to read.

“One-hundred percent of our properties now have Grab-N-Go libraries, and residents have expressed their appreciation for the access to a wide variety of books,” said Pam VanOverbeke, Greccio’s Resource & Opportunity Center manager.

The Grab-N-Go libraries are stocked with donated books collected by the LPP teams, library volunteer corps and generous donors. Greccio welcomes ongoing donations to keep the libraries stocked for years to come.

Greccio Housing has served low-income families and individuals in the Pikes Peak region since 1990. Greccio’s mission is to provide stable, safe, affordable housing, and to create supportive opportunities and services for residents to enhance their individual growth and maintain self-sufficiency. Greccio currently owns, co-owns, or manages 22 properties, providing 510 affordable apartments throughout Colorado Springs. For more information, visit greccio.org.