US Congresswoman, Shelley Berkley, to Inspire At-Risk Children in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- At 1:00 p.m. today, United States Congresswoman, Shelley Berkley, will visit students at Reynaldo Martinez Elementary School to read to at-risk children.  The school is one of the highest at-risk schools in the Clark County School District and is situated in the heart of the homeless corridor.  

The book she will read is Call Me Madame President by Sue Pyatt, an engaging picture book that is meant to inspire a new generation of hopeful politicians. "This is one of my favorite books to read to students," said Congresswoman Berkley.  "It shows students how hard it is to be in a decision-making position and how they can truly make a difference," she added.

Following the reading session, the Congresswoman will join Communities In Schools of Nevada in marking the donation of new reading materials to Martinez Elementary through a partnership between CIS and Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.).  CIS and K.I.D.S. have also partnered on a donation that will provide thousands of new children's books for distribution to Nevada schools in coming months valued at nearly $56,000.

"We are so thrilled to have Congresswoman Berkley come and share with these children," noted Communities In Schools Executive Director, Louise Helton. "For many of the students, the prospect of a high school diploma, let alone a career in politics is a dream for them.  And having the chance to meet a US Congresswoman who is there to encourage and inspire them is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

About Communities In Schools of Nevada: Communities In Schools surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Through a school-based coordinator, Communities In Schools connects students and their families to critical community resources, tailored to local needs. Working in more than 3,200 schools in the most challenged communities in 26 states and the District of Columbia, Communities In Schools serves nearly 1.4 million young people and their families every year. Communities In Schools has become the nation's leading dropout prevention organization, and the only one proven to both decrease dropout rates and increase graduation rates.

About K.I.D.S. :  K.I.D.S., founded in 1985, brings hope and self-esteem to more than 4.5 million children and their families each year by providing new clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books and juvenile products donated by manufacturers and retailers.  The donations move through a network of nearly 1,000 local community social service agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  Our efforts reach children who are challenged by poverty, homelessness, domestic abuse, low literacy, military family service, major illness, incarcerated family members and disaster survival.  More information about donating new children's clothes, shoes, books, toys and other products is available online at www.KIDSdonations.org.

SOURCE Communities In Schools of Nevada