ATLANTA-September 30, 2005-- Morehouse College has teamed up with the Jumpstart program to create a library of children’s books to inspire young children to read. Jumpstart is a national mentoring program that is part of the Americorps program. As part of the program, Morehouse and Spelman students read to preschool children in the local community to help them develop language, literacy and social skills. With the creation of a campus-based library, the students will be able to check out the books and take them to the Jumpstart program sites, where they will read to the children with whom they are matched. The program is the brainchild of Adrienne S. Harris, associate vice president of executive communications at Morehouse.

"We are so pleased with the support we have received for the Jump for Joy Library project, " said Harris. "In terms of education and life-long learning, there can be no more important thing than sparking a child's interest in reading and love of books. Through the Jump for Joy project, we are doing just that and, in the process, building our community, one book at a time, one child at a time."

On Saturday, the children will get a special treat during the opening celebration of the Jump for Joy Library. Former Congresswoman Denise Majette and local children’s author Evelyn Coleman will read stories to the children and their parents. The parents also will be oriented to the goals of the Jumpstart mentoring program.

What: Jump for Joy Library Opening Celebration

When: Saturday, Oct 1, 2005
4:00 p.m.

Where: Leadership Center Facility at Morehouse College, Banquet Hall
(at the corner of Westview Drive and West End Blvd.)

Who: Denise Majette, former Georgia Congresswoman
Evelyn Coleman, children’s author

*Parent orientation begins at 3 p.m. Book readings begin at 4 p.m.

Background: To raise money and collect books for the library for the library project, a special campaigned called the Jump For Joy Library and Book Club was launched. Not only did the campaign help to create a campus-based library, but it also will provide 50 preschool children with three to five books to start their own personal libraries.