We are a nationally recognized, award-winning literacy organization that brings the rewards of reading and writing to young people in the Chicago area. Since 1996, we have been connecting girls and teen mothers, and more recently boys, to their strengths through literature, engaging them in book groups where they read and discuss literature and write poetry.

Our Mission
Literature for All of Us brings the rewards of reading and writing through book group discussions to teen mothers and other young people in underserved neighborhoods. We build communities of readers, poets, and critical thinkers. We develop family literacy by providing children’s literature and child development resources to teen parents. We open worlds by opening books

Our Vision
We envision a future when all young people have opportunities that enable them to access their voices, write their stories, embrace meaning in their lives, and imagine possibilities for their futures. In safe environments, they have the support of responsible adults as they grow into caring and empowered individuals.

They use reading, writing, and discussion to explore their strengths and share their ideas, while experiencing a sense of accomplishment, self-esteem and hope. Young people become part of a community of avid readers and gain excellent literacy and decision-making skills.

As parents they nurture their children with love, respect, structure, and consistent exposure to literature.
As engaged citizens they know how and where to identify and use resources and they organize their communities to seek equity and social justice. Working with others, they use the power of words to change the world.