Contact: Elizabeth Gardner

(702) 885-2243
Gardne1@unlv.nevada.edu
16 November, 2016

Fact Sheet

Spread the Word Nevada

Spread the Word Nevada is a nonprofit childrens literacy organization that provides books to
underprivileged elementary school students in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson at no cost to
the students or families. The goal is to increase childhood literacy and promote education in the Clark
County. It is the largest organization of its kind in the state of Nevada.
Approximately 71 percent of the students served identify as Hispanic. A majority of those students live in
poverty without access to any reading material for their age group in either English or Spanish. These
students live in Spanish-speaking homes and have little-to-no practice reading or speaking English at
home.
Clark County School District Statistics:

Fifth-largest school district in the United States.

217 elementary schools in Clark County.
258 Title I schools in Clark County.
187 Title I elementary schools in Clark County.
45.7 percent of students in Clark County identify as Hispanic/Latino.
60.32 percent of students in Clark County qualify for free and reduced lunch.

Spread the Word Nevada Statistics:

Founded in 2001 by Laurie Hartig and Lisa Habighorst.

501(c)(3) organization, exempt from federal income tax.
Has been adopted in 42 Clark County Title I elementary schools.
86 percent of the students from the selected schools qualify for free and reduced lunch.
SWN has adopted six schools in the 2015-2016 school year.
Since 2001, SWN has:
o Donated 3.6 million books
o Served 435,000 students
SWN currently gives away 44,000 books each month.
SWNs four programs include:
o Kids-to-Kids
o Breakfast/Snacks with Books
o Books & Buddies
o Books on Break