PHN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
SERVING LAWRENCE COUNTY, THE SHENANGO VALLEY, GREENVILLE / NORTHERN MERCER COUNTY, GROVE CITY, AND NORTHERN TRUMBULL COUNTY
AMOUNT DONATED: $1,100.86
The PHN Charitable Foundation, established in 2005, advances the mission of Primary Health Network by investing in programs that improve health, expand educational opportunity, and strengthen communities. As the fundraising arm of Pennsylvania’s largest community health center, the Foundation supports initiatives that increase access to care, promote literacy and wellness, and develop the healthcare workforce. Through compassionate partnerships and community-driven efforts, PHNCF works to remove barriers and provide essential resources, helping individuals and families across the region achieve healthier, more connected lives.
Giving Week Progress:
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $2,000
Programs Supported by Your Donations
Program Impact and Community Engagement
Donations to the PHN Charitable Foundation directly support literacy-focused initiatives that improve health and educational outcomes for children and families across our service area.
1. Reach Out and Read
Reach Out and Read integrates early literacy into pediatric care by providing age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five during well-child visits. Providers also offer guidance to caregivers on the importance of reading aloud, fostering early brain development, school readiness, and stronger family connections. With plans to expand to additional sites, this program will reach even more children in critical developmental years.
2. Little Free Library Program
Our Little Free Library program increases access to books in underserved and rural communities by installing and maintaining free, 24/7 book-sharing boxes. These libraries help address “book deserts,” encouraging reading for all ages and promoting community engagement. Donations support the installation, stocking, and ongoing maintenance of these libraries, ensuring consistent access to books for individuals and families.
Together, these programs remove barriers to literacy and create lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Needs that Cannot beMet without Your Help
Over the past year, demand for our literacy initiatives has grown in tandem with a national crisis: more than 30 million U.S. adults read below a third-grade level, and 61% of children living in poverty have no books at home. Research consistently shows that access to books is essential for early literacy success. However, limited funding has constrained our ability to distribute books and expand programming.
In the coming months of 2026, we plan to add three new Reach Out and Read sites—further increasing the need for books—and expand our network of Little Free Libraries. At approximately $500 per installation, these libraries provide 24/7 access to books in underserved communities, helping ensure that every child has the opportunity to build critical literacy skills.
