About Us
Connecting Kids and Community through Literacy
Cops ‘n’ Kids of the Lehigh Valley, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded through the generous support of the community and the dedication of the Board, staff, and volunteers.
Community Service Activities
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Collecting new and gently used books at locations throughout the Lehigh Valley.
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Maintaining the Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Reading Room located within the Northampton Community College Fowler Family Southside Center at 511 East Third Street in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
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Distributing books to young people throughout the Lehigh Valley and beyond and supplementing the libraries in schools or other organizations — books for children to, in fact, own.
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Bringing the community into the schools and reading to the students whenever possible — police officers, high school and college students, municipal leaders, retired teachers, and members of the business community and local organizations volunteer their time to be a part of this experience.
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Personalizing the literacy experience by including in each book a special label that is signed by a member of the community participating in the event.
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Partnering with Northampton Community College and community organizations and individuals to provide free literacy events throughout the year.
The vision of the organization is to demonstrate to our children the commitment of our community by organizing memorable literacy events throughout the Lehigh Valley. For volunteers, these events present an opportunity to interact with and read to the children; for the children, they present an opportunity to take home a book of their very own while interacting with members of the community; for the community, they present an opportunity to enrich the lives of our children.
Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program has as its mission “Connecting Kids and Community through Literacy.”
Quota Connection
The Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program is an international initiative founded by Julia Burney Witherspoon, a police officer from Racine, Wisconsin. In 2003, the program was formally adopted by Quota International of Bethlehem, establishing the Quota International of Bethlehem Charitable Trust Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program.
Cops ‘n’ Kids
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Ensures that every child has access — in his or her home to books and the knowledge, inspiration and hope that such access can provide.
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Encourages positive relationships between children and police.
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Inspires creative learning for children and families by providing meaningful literacy-based experiences.
Organized in 1919, Quota International, Inc., was a service organization that linked its members in a worldwide network of service and friendship. Quota’s members were committed to serving their communities and their world. Our local literacy initiative is now Cops ‘n’ Kids of the Lehigh Valley, Inc. In addition to the police, the Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program has expanded to include the involvement of businesses and organizations, municipal leaders, the educational community and other caring individuals who joined with Cops ‘n’ Kids volunteers to “make a difference” in the lives of our children.