MISSION STATEMENT – Graham Cracker
Kids
Graham Cracker Kids is a non-profit
community-based organization which offers vulnerable children and families
enrichment in reading along with nutritional support, partnered with
established food distribution non-profit groups in San Diego County.
Graham Cracker Kids provides age
appropriate books free-of-charge to children through libraries and bookstores
and schools; maintains a volunteer Mentor Program for families seeking
information on nutrition; and offers an annual recreation “Weekend Family Camp”
for children and parents each year.
The Weekend Family Camp is
complimentary for families enrolled in the “Feed and Read” core program of
Graham Cracker Kids, expanding on the model “Open a book and you open the world;
feed the children and they are eager to learn.”
My name is Deborah Larkin and I have been involved
in the lives of children for over 30 years. As a professional dance and theater
instructor and director, I operated a performing arts school for both
able-bodied and physically challenged kids aged 3-15. I involved underprivileged
children through free tuition grants in exchange for their commitment to the
program. In addition, I was an active member of PATH (Performing Arts Theater of
the Handicapped) and started their first successful children’s program in
Southern California. My years teaching and managing the performing arts school,
fueled ideas for three books I have published. As an author, I embrace subjects
that involve life, death and challenging situations. I find these to be everyday
subjects that are seldom talked about on a child’s level. The books are
currently in county libraries and bookstores though out San Diego and Maui,
Hawaii.
In the
last 5 years, I have given thousands of books away. Outside of schools and
public libraries, I donated to the Kroc Center, St. Vincent de Paul and
Children’s hospital here in San Diego. I hope to learn more from organizations
like these that already support our local children and will continue to donate
books to these established corporations and their yearly events.
With my
30 years plus experience with children, I am excited to take my knowledge and
experience to a new level by forming this non-profit. My aspirations for 2009
envision Graham Cracker Kids and Company (GCK & Co.) making a difference in the
lives of children right here in the USA. By providing food, literature and
education with mentors to encourage both parents and children, GCK & Co. can
make that difference with the “Feed to Read” program.
Our “Feed
to Read” program will be at the core of the non-profit. This program will help
feed kids while providing books and a storybook reading environment to encourage
nutrition and education. It is my hope that the parents of these children will
learn the benefits of nutrition and reading in the successful education of their
children. We have a “green” farm in Warner Springs targeted to partner with GCK
& Co. The farm has natural artesian wells, hydroponics growing techniques and
is now exploring the possibility of wind turbines for energy. This program will
rely heavily on donations and the time of volunteers as the non-profit kicks
off.
As the
Feed to Read program grows and fundraising efforts increase, I want to get back
to my passion: a camp for physically and economically challenged children. The
camp, with a weekend, family format, will mentor parents on one hand and provide
a playful, educational experience for the kids on the other hand. Ultimately, we
hope to provide transportation and accommodations for the whole family of
eligible participants.
Peering
in on the average American Family, it is difficult to make good choices in the
way of nutrition and education while working hard to make ends meet. Open a book
and you can open the world for a child. Feed them and they are anxious to learn.
Mentor parents and you provide them with life long tools necessary to
effectively mentor their own children. I believe with the educated professional
volunteers that GCK & Co. has in place, we can make a difference.
Come back to visit soon!
Feel free to l
k
around and explore our pages!
Debbie is a proud contributer to
I am foundation