Women United
Impacting Literacy in Geauga County
Who we are
We are a group of women dedicated to creating equal access to books in Geauga County. Each year, we distribute an average of 10,000 new and used books for all ages. We meet monthly to plan programs and events that promote literacy in our community.
Get Involved!
Do you love books and sharing the joy of reading with your community? You can help get free books into the hands of your neighbors by getting involved with Women United:
- Donate books: drop off at our Geauga office (209 Center St, Unit H, Chardon)
- Volunteer to sort or distribute donated books
- Help maintain Little Libraries or community bookshelves
- Host a book drive
- And more!
For more information, email us at womenunitedgeauga@uws.org, call us at 440-285-2261, or fill out our form below.
Our Impact Since 2017
Our Programs
Book Bank
In 2017, Women United established the Book Bank with several thousand used books from the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank. Women United also receives books from libraries, schools, book drives, and personal donations. Members clean, sort and shelve the books based on reading levels so they are ready to pull and package for distribution throughout the community. To date, we have distributed over 50,000 books throughout Geauga County!
Reach Out and Read
This national program for children from birth to age 5 distributes free books through pediatrician offices. During a well-child visit, the doctor writes a “prescription” for books and encourages reading at home. The child is given an age-appropriate book to take home. Women United partners with University Hospitals Middlefield Medical Center Pediatrics and has distributed over 4,000 new books through this program.
Little Libraries
Eleven Little Libraries were built at United Way’s Day of Action in 2017 and installed throughout Geauga County. Women United volunteers keep them stocked and organized so that families have access to free books. To date, over 13,000 books have been distributed through Little Libraries.
| Site | Address |
|---|---|
| The West Woods | 9465 Kinsman Road (Rt. 87), Russell Township |
| Chagrin Falls Park Community Center | 7060 Woodland Avenue, Chagrin Falls |
| Maple Highlands Trail | South Street, Chardon |
| Bass Lake Preserve | 11445 Lakeview Road, Munson Township |
| Big Creek Park | 9160 Robinson Road, Chardon Township |
| Walter C Best Wildlife Preserve | 11620 Ravenna Road, Munson Township |
| UH Chardon Health Center | 510 Fifth Avenue, Chardon |
| Geauga Metropolitan Housing Authority | 385 Center Street, Chardon |
| Huntsburg Township | 16534 Mayfield Road, Huntsburg Township |
| Swine Creek Reservation | 16004 Hayes Road, Middlefield Township |
| Rustic Pines MHC | 17748 Rock Creek Road, Thompson |
Community Distributions
Thousands of books have been distributed by our members at local events such as KidsFest, Help Me Learn, Home School Learning Fair, National Night Out, Claridon Summer Lunch Program, UH Community Baby Shower, and community picnics. Volunteers also provide books to preschools, childcare centers, and the Safety Center.
Bookshelves
Women United has provided bookshelves to schools and organizations throughout Geauga County. Our volunteers stock and maintain bookshelves at Jordak Elementary and Cardinal Middle School (Cardinal Schools, Middlefield), Berkshire Schools (Burton), The Metzenbaum Center (Chesterland), and Lake-Geauga United Head Start (Middlefield).
Women United also stocks and maintains bookshelves at community locations including Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers’ Twelve Meadows Residence, Harris House & Murray Manor – Geauga Metropolitan Housing Authority, Birthright, Burton Food Cupboard, Doors of Hope, and Job & Family Services.
School Distributions
Teachers work with Women United to receive books for their students during Winter and Summer school breaks. To date, 12,000 books have been distributed to students in several Geauga County schools.
Interested in Learning More?
To get involved or to donate books or funds contact womenunitedgeauga@uws.org or fill out the form below:
