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Success
Won’t Wait Inc.
An
association promoting literacy
by
Dominic Campanile
Miss
Idea 2003 Vincenza Carrieri-Russo
is more than just a pretty
face. In addition to her
studies as a full-time college student, her part-time job as a dance
instructor, and a host of extracurricular activities, this enterprising
young woman is also the co-founder of a not-for-profit literacy
organization. Her
association, Success Won’t Wait, Inc. is based in
Delaware
and serves the varied literacy needs of the
surrounding tri-state region.
Her outstanding community service
efforts to improve literacy began in 2002 as an 18-year-old high school
senior. “It really began
when I taught a family friend’s daughter to dance,” explains
Vincenza. “She and her
young son would wait in the lobby. We
thought a basket of books would give him something to do while waiting.”
The basket was so successful, in fact, that she placed several
others -- in a nearby karate studio, hair salon, and doctor’s office.
“It just grew from there,” she laughs.
Since the program’s inception, Vincenza has organized dozens of
statewide book drives, calling on residents to donate both new and
gently used books for redistribution in the community.
To date she has collected well over 8,000 books.
Vincenza has also expanded the organization’s mission and has
developed four major literacy project areas.
First, she provides free children’s book baskets.
Upon request, these are placed in any lobby or office where a
child might wait. Some
examples of placement locations include doctors’ and dentists’
offices, karate and dance studios, hair and beauty salons, and auto
repair shops. She has
already placed over 50 baskets in various locations, distributing
approximately 2,000 books.
Second, Vincenza has set about
expanding existing permanent, residential libraries that are greatly in
need. A few examples of
these types of locations include
Ferris
School
for Boys, Baylor Women’s Correctional Institute,
and Gander Hill Prison. Vincenza
has distributed approximately 2,000 books to these facilities.
Third, a new project for her
organization involves assisting local libraries’ “Friends” groups
with donations for library improvement projects not covered by state or
federal monies. Vincenza has
distributed approximately 2,000 books in this way.
A recent 1,000+ book donation was made when the imperiled Friends
of the Hockessin Library lost 25,000 books to Hurricane Isabella and the
resultant flood.
Fourth, an exciting area Vincenza is
currently expanding involves creating “Independent Libraries” at
temporary residential facilities. One
such example is a recent 1,000+ book installation at The Bayard House in
Wilmington
,
Delaware
. The
Bayard House is a temporary residential program for pregnant teens and
young women. Vincenza is
also working on another 1,000+ book installation and the creation of a
new library at the
PACE
School
, a school for developmentally and emotionally
delayed teens.
Vincenza’s hard work and dedication to eradicating illiteracy has not
gone unnoticed. In April
2003, she was awarded the national Presidential Student Service Award
for outstanding community service. Also
in July 2003, she met one-on-one with Governor Ruth Ann Minner of
Delaware
to discuss her program, its successes, and plans for
the future. “That was
tremendously exciting,” she says.
“Governor Minner was really helpful and gave me lots of leads
to follow up. She was so
encouraging -- I’m excited to see her again, and share all I’ve been
able to accomplish since we last met.”
According
to Vincenza, plans for the future first include more book drives.
“10,000 books by June is my immediate goal,” says Vincenza.
She is also busy with an expansion, already underway, into
surrounding states
New
Jersey
,
Pennsylvania
,
and
New
York
.
“Eventually, I hope to have a presence in all 50 states,”
says Vincenza. If her
performance to date is any indicator, she is well on her way!
IDEA
MARZO 2004
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