Affinia Healthcare recently joined Change and Action for Racial Equity (C.A.R.E.), Ready Readers, National Council of Black Women, and the Links Incorporated to hold a launch ceremony for four new Little Free Libraries. The ceremony was held at the health center’s N. Florissant location. The other LFLs are at Affinia Healthcare’s Ferguson, Lemp Avenue and Biddle Street locations.

“At Affinia Healthcare, we focus on the body and the mind,” said Dr. Kendra Holmes, Affinia Healthcare President & CEO. “For a young girl growing up in North (St. Louis) City, books were the initial engagement and empowerment. Libraries are so much more than just a collection of books. They are a pathway to knowledge, health and upward mobility.”

The concept behind the Little Free Library is to encourage reading and literacy in communities where books may be scarce or not readily accessible. The libraries are stocked with donated books and anyone who wants a book, can take one to read. They are encouraged to return the book(s) once they are read, but it is not required. The long-term goal is for residents to have libraries in their own homes and nurture a love of reading in their families.

CAPTION: Affinia Healthcare President & CEO Dr. Kendra Holmes (at right), and LFL stewards and Affinia Healthcare employees Darlenna Cannon (center) and Latasha Kent deposit the first books into the Little Free Library at the location at 4414 N. Florissant. Affinia Healthcare also has libraries at the Ferguson, Lemp Avenue, and Biddle Street locations.