Right now, children in Stanislaus County are growing up without access to books that reflect who they are. We're changing that, starting with 75 families who need us.
🌱 First Program Launching Summer 2026
A child who doesn't see themselves in books learns that their story doesn't matter. A parent without resources learns they can't help their child succeed. A community without access learns to accept less. We refuse to accept this.
In Stanislaus County, children in our lowest-performing school districts go to bed without a single book that looks like them. Parents want to help but don't know where to start. Third grade comes, reading scores stay low, and the gap gets wider.
Children who aren't reading proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. We're watching futures narrow in real time.
But here's what we know works: culturally affirming books change everything. When a child sees themselves as the hero of a story, reading stops being a chore and becomes a mirror. When parents get practical tools, they become fierce advocates. When communities gather around literacy, strength multiplies.
Children need books that say "your story matters, your experience is valuable, you belong here"
With the right tools, every parent can be their child's first and best literacy teacher
When families come together around reading, we build something that lasts for generations
Sheressa Jackson
Founder Photo
For years, I ran a K-12 home-based private school. I watched children light up when they found books that reflected their lives. I also watched what happened when those books weren't there.
A child who never sees themselves as the protagonist learns that heroes don't look like them. A child without culturally affirming books learns that their story isn't worth telling. And in Stanislaus County, too many of our children are learning exactly that.
I'm a children's author. I created two books with support from Tupo Pamoja Fund: Touching the Sky: Dream Big, Build High and Kayla's Cloud. I wrote them because our children deserve to see themselves soaring, dreaming, and conquering. But two books aren't enough.
That's why Knowledge Grove Foundation exists. We're bringing culturally affirming books directly to families who need them. We're putting practical tools in parents' hands. We're creating spaces where families gather and lift each other up.
We're starting with 75 families because that's what we can do right now. But every single one of those 75 families matters. Every child in those families deserves this.
Sheressa Jackson
Founder & Program Director
This summer, we're putting comprehensive literacy kits in the hands of families who need them. Each kit is packed with culturally affirming books, learning tools, and resources that say to every child: your story matters.
A mother opens a box. Inside are books where the children look like her children. Heroes with brown skin. Stories about families like hers. A reading guide that doesn't make her feel inadequate but shows her she's already capable. Activity packs that connect reading to the cultural traditions she already cherishes.
Her child picks up a book and says, "That's me!" For the first time, reading feels personal. Feels relevant. Feels like something worth doing.
That's what we're building. That moment. 75 times over.
$113 invested in each child's future
We're going where families are:
No barriers. No hoops. Just books and support.
Every single family matters
We'll know this is working when we see:
Homes with libraries full of books where children see themselves
Families reading together more, building bonds and skills
Community events where families connect and support each other
Children who grow up knowing their story matters
Knowledge Grove Foundation established - we said yes to this work
Grant submitted - we asked for support to make this real
Decision time - we're hopeful and ready
First kits go out - this becomes real for 75 families
We can't do this alone. We need partners. Supporters. Believers.
Help Us Reach ThemNot your money. Not yet. We need your belief, your network, your space, your voice. We need partners who see what we see: 75 families who deserve this chance.
Knowledge Grove isn't about one person doing this alone. It's about a community saying "our children matter" and backing that up with action.
Are you in?
Let's Talk About How You Can HelpWhether you want to partner, support, or just learn more about our work, we'd love to hear from you.
Founder & Program Director: Sheressa Jackson
Email: info@knowledgegrove.org
Location: Stanislaus County, California
Knowledge Grove Foundation is a grassroots literacy initiative. We're building with intention, starting with our first program serving 75 families in Stanislaus County.