In its second year, the Zayda Literacy Fund initiative is going strong. The fund, established by social influencer and teen entrepreneur Zayda Love, is awarded to three foster youth who write the most compelling book reports each year. The grant is to support the imaginative dreams of children in foster care.

Books are a great escape from the circumstances foster youth face, but also teaches them how to face challenge that come their way. Books also help children to not feel alone.

The Children’s Foundation of America is pleased to announce that we were able to award three more grants of $500 each in 2020 to children in foster care. In addition to the prize money, winners were also given books or a Kindle.

Our winners included a 12-year old who wrote about “The Island of Dragons” by Geronimo Stilton, a 17-year-old who did their book report on “The Lightning Thief,” and a 16-year-old youth wrote their book report on “The Child Called It” by Dave Pelzer which chronicles the unforgettable account of one of the most severe child abuse cases in history. The contest is open to foster agencies in California. This year’s winners came from Trinity Youth Services and McKinley Children’s Center.

We encourage all agencies to participate in this incredible opportunity that encourages literacy and the pursuit of the imagination for children in foster care. The book report is open to agencies in California each year. If you are a resource parent for a foster youth in California, please ask your agency to reach out to the Children’s Foundation of America to enter a book report for a grant.

Jenelle Phillips, Director of Development
Jenelle oversees the day-to-day operations and staffing of the Foundation, which includes event planning, volunteer coordination, community outreach, marketing and donor relations. Above all, Jenelle’s focus is to identify and access resources in order to help children heal, learn and thrive. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from California State University Fullerton and is very involved in the community. She is active in her church and owns an art gallery. Her volunteer contributions to the community have been recognized by Senator Portantino, Assemblymember Holden and the Claremont Village Marketing Group.