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.

Volunteers sorting books

Our Impact Since 2017

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Books distributed from our book bank
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Books given to kids at well-child visits through Reach Out and Read
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Little Libraries kept stocked with books
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Books provided to students at Geauga schools

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.


SiteAddress
The West Woods9465 Kinsman Road (Rt. 87), Russell Township
Chagrin Falls Park Community Center7060 Woodland Avenue, Chagrin Falls
Maple Highlands TrailSouth Street, Chardon
Bass Lake Preserve11445 Lakeview Road, Munson Township
Big Creek Park9160 Robinson Road, Chardon Township
Walter C Best Wildlife Preserve11620 Ravenna Road, Munson Township
UH Chardon Health Center510 Fifth Avenue, Chardon
Geauga Metropolitan Housing Authority385 Center Street, Chardon
Huntsburg Township16534 Mayfield Road, Huntsburg Township
Swine Creek Reservation16004 Hayes Road, Middlefield Township
Rustic Pines MHC17748 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?

For more information or to donate books or funds contact womenunitedgeauga@uws.org.

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