L I T E R A R Y
I N I T I A T I V E S

Literacy is Pi Beta Phi’s national philanthropic cause. Individual chapters find their own way to support the end of illiteracy and also participate in several national programs. As women dedicated to our own higher education we are proud to be supporters of such programs that help others on the path to achieving this same privilege.
Why Literacy?
- People who can read tend to be more successful and have more earning capacity.
- Illiteracy is a factor in the rate of homelessness, domestic abuse, poverty and lack of healthcare.
- Nearly 1 out of 4 fourth-graders are not able to meet basic reading proficiency.

Champions Are Readers
Each winter term members go into local elementary school classrooms and participate in a month-long reading enrichment program called Champions Are Readers (CAR). The CAR program focuses on 3rd grade students and gives them an opportunity to fall in love with reading. Pi Phis visited weekly to read with children and help encourage them to read at home.
Learn more about CAR:
www.pibetaphi.org/philanthropies/car.html

Fall Book Drive
In the fall Pi Phi raises money for Pi Phi’s national philanthropic partner, First Book. First Book’s mission is to “give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books.”

Learn more about First Book: www.firstbook.org