Students at three Shocker Neighborhood elementary schools received boxes of books earlier this week from members of the United Way’s Women United. The program is part of an effort to encourage summer reading.
“I thought that was me,” said a third-grader at Jackson Elementary on May 19 when Naquela Pack, director of engagement for Wichita State, visited Jackson. The little girl was referring to the cover of the book “Blended,” which features a brown-skinned woman on the cover. The Wichita girl saw herself in the character.
Contributions from Wichita State and the United Way are empowering positive changes in Shocker Neighborhood, which encompasses more than a dozen neighborhoods surrounding the university.
- United Way-funded programs helped more than 26,000 of our neighbors within Shocker Neighborhood last year alone.
- Almost 1,000 children living within Shocker Neighborhood were enrolled in the Imagination Library and will receive a free book every month until age 5.