Educate and empower local youth: Join the Enactus DiversiReads Committee

Carthage Enactus is looking for students to join the DiversiReads Committee.

DiversiReads endeavors to foster unity and a sense of belonging, bridge racial divides, and empower the next generation of citizens and leaders. It was inspired by the Little Free Library (LFL) movement, an organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world. The idea was developed in May 2020, during a time of severe violence and civil unrest.

We considered the diverse population of southeastern Wisconsin, more specifically the Kenosha community. We asked what role Carthage, mobilized through our Enactus chapter, could play in guiding area children in a manner that encourages their belief in their own abilities, their potential for positive growth, and confidence that they can flourish despite inevitable setbacks. From this contemplation, DiversiReads was born, a project that seeks to educate and empower local youth by teaching them the value of diversity and the unity that can be experienced when we celebrate differences.

Our Enactus DiversiReads Committee partners with local elementary schools in the Kenosha and Racine Unified School Districts to host “Reading Days,” in which our members visit second- and third-grade classrooms to read children’s books focused on diversity, inclusion, and empowerment to the young students. Upon each visit, we present each teacher with a 12-book bundle of diverse titles for their classroom and also have Q&A sessions with the students about the importance of diversity as well as our experiences as college students.

In addition to our Reading Days, we have days (weather permitting) when our members visit local LFLs and stock them with the same diverse titles we gift to local teachers. We have plans to begin constructing our own LFLs and partnering with local organizations and businesses to continue to expand our efforts.

If you are interested in joining our efforts, please contact Jillian Arbeiter ’22, Enactus president and DiversiReads project leader, at jarbeiter@carthage.edu.

Enactus is a global entrepreneurial collegiate organization that works to achieve the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals through impactful projects created and run by students across over 1,700 college campuses.

Sponsoring Department, Office, or Organization:

Carthage Enactus

For more information, contact:

Jillian Arbeiter: jarbeiter@carthage.edu