Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: HeartBound Ministries
Legal Name (if Different): HeartBound Ministries, Inc.
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 191703
City: Atlanta
State: GA
Postal Code: 31119-0703
Main Phone: 404-822-4224
Main Fax:
Organization Website: heartboundmininstries.org
Employer ID Number: 37-1474501
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: February 25, 2025
Requested Amount: 5,000

Project Title: Little Readers
Project Description:

The connection between low literacy, limited educational opportunities, and incarceration is well established. HeartBound recognizes that one of the most effective ways to disrupt the cycle of crime and incarceration is through literacy intervention and educational support for children and youth affected by incarceration.
In Georgia alone, an estimated 200,000 children have an incarcerated parent, and 80% of these children live at or below the poverty line. The absence of a parent due to incarceration often results in reduced opportunities for being read to – a critical factor for academic success. Daily reading by a family member is one of the strongest indicators of future academic achievement, yet many of these children lack this fundamental support.
To address this issue, HeartBound launched the Little Readers program in 2014. This initiative aims to break the generational cycles of low literacy and incarceration, foster a culture of literacy and book access within families, and alleviate the trauma of family separation. Our goal is to provide literacy resources to 2,000 children annually and to reach thousands more through our Little Readers Book Club program, which places carts filled with books, games, and educational materials in 73 prison visitation rooms.
The Little Readers program also includes a unique feature where children can see and hear their loved one reading a book to them via video. Trained facilitators conduct workshops for incarcerated parents, teaching them how to select appropriate books, read aloud effectively, and build a strong bond with their child through reading. After the workshop, parents are recorded reading a storybook, which, along with two books and a list of literacy and nutritional resources, is sent to the child. This allows children to repeatedly watch the video and read the books, strengthening their connection with their parent and fostering a love of reading.

Total Project Budget: 56,235

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Committed for 2025: Sartain Lanier Family Foundation-$25K (coming late 2025), $75 from an individual for a total of $25,075 committed. As

Project Duration: Ongoing
Geographical Area Served: Atlanta, GA
Age Group To Be Served: Age group to be served is typically birth to age 13.

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Andrea
Contact Last Name: Shelton
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 404-822-4224
Contact Email: aheartbound@comcast.net