GCPWA is proud to partner with the Horry County Department of Social Services to open a new Reading Room during Women's History Month to help eradicate illiteracy and promote reading in an area of South Carolina where 12% of the population lack basic prose literacy skills.
"A number of the children that we serve require considerable improvement on their reading skills," says Wanda Squire, former Horry County DSS Director, who proposed the idea for GCPWA to help by donating books to children under the care of DSS. Last year, GCPWA provided 50 backpacks filled with school supplies and bibles to deserving DSS children. “We’ll take it a step further,” said Grace Stephens, GCPWA Chief Executive Officer, “GCPWA will not only donate books but we will establish and maintain an on-site Reading Room that can be used regularly by children and their caregivers.” This reading project is well-aligned with one of GCPWA’s key service agendas dedicated to caring for children in need.
Through the generosity of local vendors including Ashley Furniture and Lowe's Home Improvement, along with a host of other big-hearted service providers, an existing visitation room will be completely renovated into an attractive space featuring couches, nooks, a small table and seating area, and a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. It will provide a warm and productive space that can be used primarily as a place for learning, a unique visitation room, a respite from a busy work day for employees, or simply a comfortable meeting space.
The opening ceremony will take place on Friday, March 17th at Horry DSS headquarters. We are regularly requesting donations of all types of age appropriate new and gently used books for children ages 3 – 18 yrs. Books can be dropped off weekdays at Horry County DSS Office, 1951 Industrial Park Road, Conway.
For more information, visit www.gcpwa.org or email contact@gcpwa.org.
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About the Global Christian Professional Women’s Association
The Global Christian Professional Women’s Association (GCPWA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to foster the professional and spiritual needs of Christian and professional women globally. The organization’s guiding principles include faith, service, excellence, transparency, inclusion and advancement. For more information about the organization and membership, or to register for its annual conference, visit www.gcpwa.org.
