East Ridge Elementary students have one more way to take reading opportunities home with them thanks to a new, local startup that aims to make books accessible to every student.
Kelsey Butler was inspired to found HomeBound while studying at UTC to become a teacher. Spending time in local classrooms, she realized many students struggled to read at school due in part to a lack of opportunities to read outside of classroom hours.
Though East Ridge Elementary is the first school to receive a shelf of books for students to take as they please and return once they are finished, Butler said it won't be the last.
The books, which have been donated by local restaurants, stores and other supporters of her mission, cover a wide range of reading levels and subject materials.
"I think it's a great opportunity to share books with our students who might not have books at home," said East Ridge Elementary Vice Principal Juan Moreno. "Any initiative that empowers students to read but also provides them something to read is a powerful one."
For more information on HomeBound or to find out how to help, visit homeboundbooks.net.