MISSION: Line4Line activates literacy as lived action empowering communities to face challenges and create positive change.
VISION: Line4Line builds a culture of literacyβat home, at school, and in the communityβthat equips young people and families with the tools to shape their own futures and uplift the collective well-being of our neighborhoods.
At Line4Line, we donβt just sharpen mindsβwe shape futures. Our programs are rooted in the heart of a barbershop. Beginning with a simple barberβs chairβ βa line up for reading a lineββ our work evolved into programs where young people feel safe to explore who they are, where they come from, and the integral role they play in activating their community. Haircuts for Reading launched in Fall 2015, led by a crew of razor-sharp barbers with hearts of gold and a touch of ink, rolling up their sleeves to craft the coolest cuts in town in exchange for young people reading a book aloud. Together, they created an environment where literacy is celebrated and practiced among peers and mentors.
At Line4Line we believe Literacy is more than sounding out words. We put books in the hands of our readers that mirror their lives and open windows to new worlds, teaching young people that they matterβand that others do, too. We huddle around high-risk and at-risk youth facing all kinds of obstacles, by offering a network of support that promotes healthy development and better outcomes for their lives. Our Youth Mentoring Programs, build confidence, communication skills, and teamwork, by activating positive opportunities inside or outside of the barbershop.
Now, weβre lining up our next phase of action and itβs about getting hands on with learning and life. We call this Literacy as Lived Action, where every book read and every conversation shared becomes a step toward understanding the world and making a positive impact. Itβs like the perfect fade: youβve got to get all the layers just right! By blending literacy with real-life experiences, our programs meet young people where they are. Through books that reflect their lives, relatable mentors whoβve walked in their shoes, and by meeting their basic needs, we keep things real and relevant. We know how to create lasting change by building spaces rooted in literacy where young people feel safe to explore who they are, where they come from, and how they can shape their community.
Since 2022, L4L has intentionally served more than 22,000 young people throughout Baton Rouge, building strong working partnerships with 20 community organizations to further expand impact. We have reached over 9500 students in local public and charter schools, teaching our unique creative literacy curriculum that combines books with art to over 500 classes. We have established a successful High School Barbering Program in three schools serving 100s of students providing skills, mentoring support, apprenticeships and scholarships. We have built a team of relatable mentors from within our barbershop community who have facilitated over 7000 out of school youth engagements. We have increased Book Access by donating over 24,000 new βown-voicesβ books to children, families, educators, and have grown our Book of the Month Program by 100% sharing titles and activities with 50 East Baton Rouge Parish School Librarians, 120 Capital Region classroom teachers and 100 families.
This Giving Tuesday, Line4Line has a challenge match to support dollar for dollar, which means your financial gift will be doubled! We need your help to create safe environments where young people feel valued, connected, and activated to positively shape our community. Please join us in building a stronger community by investing in our youth on This Giving Tuesday!
Contact:
- Phone: 225-610-7250
- Website:
- Social: @line4linebr on Facebook and Instagram