The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) is proud to partner with chapter members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), collectively referred to as the Divine Nine (D9), churches, community groups, faith-based organizations, and chapter members of other prominent membership organizations to introduce our CDF Freedom Schools at Home book program.

Through the Chapters Beyond Books partnership, those who make a generous donation to CDF will help their chapter or organization receive a shipment of culturally-relevant books to distribute into the hands and homes of children in grades K-12. Our goal is to distribute nearly 50,000 books across the country to families, helping them build their in-home libraries while also developing and nurturing their child’s love for reading.

Inspired by the original Freedom Summer of 1964, the CDF Freedom Schools program was founded in 1995 and designed to improve reading, language skills, interpersonal relationships, strengthen families, and develop in all participants the skills needed to improve conditions for children and families in their communities.

Making a gift today will provide more than just books to the children and families in your community. Donations will also provide these families with access to resources as a member of the CDF Freedom Schools at Home Network. The resources, including virtual monthly Family Book Club nights, will serve as a guide for parents, community leaders, educators, and others to engage in meaningful discussions that encourage the development of critical thinking, conflict-resolution, and social emotional learning skills for the purpose of mitigating the effects of COVID-19 learning loss.

As we commemorate our 25th year of service, the CDF Freedom Schools team is more committed than ever to meeting the needs of the children, families, and communities nationwide, especially during this ongoing global pandemic. 

If you are part of a church, community group, faith-based organization, or other membership organization that is interested in joining the Chapters Beyond Books partnership, or if you are not part of a participating organization but would like to make a donation to distribute books to children and youth across the country, please write to books@childrensdefense.org.

Thank you for enriching and empowering the lives of children and youth across the country.

Thank you to the following chapters who have helped to distribute books and literacy resources to children and youth in their communities and across the country: 

CHUMS, Inc.

Atlanta (GA) Chapter
Charleston (SC) Chapter
Chesapeake (VA) Chapter
Columbia (SC) Chapter
Detroit (MI) Chapter
Greater Lansing (MI) Chapter
Hampton-Newport News (VA) Chapter
Los Angeles (CA) Chapter
New York (NY) Chapter
Norfolk (VA) Chapter
Orlando (FL) Chapter*
Raleigh (NC) Chapter
Roanoke (VA) Chapter
St. Louis (MO) Chapter
Tri-City (NC) Chapter

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Arlington Alumnae Chapter
Arabian Gulf Alumnae Chapter
Berkeley Bay Area Alumnae Chapter
Charlotte Alumnae Chapter*
Cincinnati Alumnae Chapter
Collin County Alumnae Chapter
Clinton (MS) Alumnae Chapter
Columbus (OH) Alumnae Chapter
Decatur (GA) Alumnae Chapter
Denbigh Alumnae Chapter
Fairfax County Alumnae Chapter
Henry County Alumnae Chapter
Houston Alumnae Chapter
Mobile Alumnae Chapter
Metropolitan Dallas Alumnae Chapter
San Francisco Peninsula Alumnae Chapter
St. Louis Alumnae Chapter
Youngstown (OH) Alumnae Chapter
Washington, DC Alumnae Chapter

Jack and Jill of America, Inc. 

Atlanta Chapter
Cleveland Chapter
Greater Baltimore County Chapter
Montgomery County, PA Chapter
Northeast Dallas Chapter
North Suburban Atlanta Chapter
Oakland Bay Area Chapter
South Jersey Chapter
Suffolk County Chapter
Western Maryland Chapter
West Suburban Chicago Chapter

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. 

Eastern Region
National Office – Valerie Hollingsworth Baker, International Centennial President

The Roanoke Chapter of Chums, Inc. partnered with the Melrose Branch Library to provide books and literacy resources to children in their Read and Feed Program.

Q: Can I mail my donation to Chapters Beyond Books?

A: Yes, please print out this form and send your mailed check to:

Children’s Defense Fund
Attn: Chapters Beyond Books
840 First Street NE
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20002

Once the check has been placed in the mail, please write to books@childrensdefense.org for next steps.