GERI book nooks launched this week in select Grand Rapids Public Library (GRPL) locations. The program is the latest partnership with Safe Haven Ministries, a non-profit focused on preventing and ending intimate partner violence and domestic abuse.
GERI stands for Grow, Engage, Read and Imagine. The initiative, in coordination with Michigan State University’s School of Social Work, is designed as violence prevention for children and young adults.
“This is the primary prevention where were working on social emotional skills helping you people learn about boundaries and consent and helping parents to even think through things in a different way than how they have thought of before,” Safe Haven Ministries training and education manager, Mykal Ward, said.
GERI Book Nooks feature titles that promote gender equity, empathy and emotion identification as well as celebrate community, diversity, healthy relationships, and boundaries.
“Safe Haven Ministries is excited to be partnering with Grand Rapids Public Library to bring the Grow Engage Read Imagine (GERI) Initiative to more families and homes. It is our hope that increasing exposure to the topics addressed in the GERI collection and companion resources will help affect positive change in social norms, creating a stronger foundation for healthy relationships and communities,” Ward said.
Michigan data shows roughly one in seven women and trans/nonbinary people experience intimate partner violence.
While program resources are available for ages 0-18, GERI Book Nooks are designed for kids in Pre-K to 3rd grade and come with reading guides and toolkits. Kids will also get a prize every time they read or check out a GERI title.
GERI Book Nooks can be found at GRPL’s Main Library and Seymour, West Leonard, and Yankee Clipper Branches.
“The Library is honored to be able to host GERI Book Nooks in partnership with Safe Haven Ministries and MSU’s School of Social Work. We believe in the power of children’s literature to transform lives and
broaden perspectives, and we work to foster strong partnerships in our community with the goal of improving quality of life for Grand Rapids residents. We are thrilled that multiple library locations will be offering easy ways for families to participate in this special and innovative reading program.” said Amy Cochran, Youth Services Manager, at Grand Rapids Public Library, said.
A QR code on handouts will direct individuals to a survey to help evaluate the success of the program. Partner organization, SPARK4Change at MSU, will actively monitor the initiative, to determine whether this type of program can lead to a positive change.
