WePAC

WePAC’s mission is to promote childhood literacy by engaging volunteers in Philadelphia public schools through re-opening and staffing libraries. In our vision, every Philadelphia student will be empowered with the literacy skills vital to the success of the child and the prosperity of our community.

Due to years of budget cuts, there is an overwhelming lack of funding to staff school libraries in the School District of Philadelphia. WePAC is funded entirely by private dollars and provides all of its services at no cost to schools or to the school district. WePAC first offered its services in West Philadelphia during the 2003-04 school year, when it placed six volunteers in one elementary school. It began as an outgrowth of an urban ministry project between Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church and many civic groups, and today is a wholly-independent and non-sectarian 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. 

The West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) mobilizes volunteers to reopen and staff libraries in Philadelphia public schools to bring the joy of reading to elementary-age students through high-quality, diverse collections, access to books, and story read-alouds.  Our volunteer base is made up of individuals who are passionate about making sure all children have access to books.