Baylor School students and families from the East Chattanooga area will celebrate a new chapter of reading on Tuesday from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. with an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for a library that is now open for business at the Carver Youth and Family Development Center.
The library, which was made possible through the efforts of Baylor senior Joe Julian, will serve children who live near the center.
According to Julian, the project began last July when he applied for a microgrant through the Karma for Cara Foundation based in Baltimore, Md. (
www.karmaforcara.org). He also applied for a grant through the Baylor Community service grant-writing program.
“I applied at K4C, and won an $800 grant to supplement the Baylor grant program awarded me.” Using the grant money he purchased new furniture, shelves, and decorations. He organized a collection drive for new and used books and paint was donated by Chattanooga Paint in Hixson.
“I just wanted to help make reading appealing to the kids at Carver and increase their interest in learning,” says Julian. "The children will undoubtedly benefit from this modern, welcoming library space that promotes a lifelong love of reading."
Karma for Cara Foundation is a non-profit founded in 2012 by the late Cara Becker and her family while she was being treated for leukemia at the age of 21. The foundation’s Youth Microgrant Program encourages kids ages 18 and under,to apply for funds between $250 and $1,000 to complete service projects in their communities.
Each afternoon, 53 Baylor students volunteer at the Carver Youth and Family Development Center, providing tutoring and support through grant projects that have included swim lessons, school supplies, field trips, music lessons, and outdoor adventures.