Providing Comic Book Libraries for local students!
Donation protected
"As a middle school teacher, I used comics not only to reinforce literacy skills for my students, but also to develop relationships with marginalized students that also didn't care about Romeo & Juliet" -Illya Kowalchuk
About Comic Book Libraries
When I was a student, all I did was read comic books. They expanded my vocabulary, provided role models, introduced me to themes like tragedy and perseverance, and gave me a sincere appreciation for art and literature.
Comic Book Libraries is a Hero Nation initiative that seeks to improve youth literacy by providing high-interest reading material to classrooms throughout our community.
We currently have educators at five different schools throughout our community hosting Comic Book Libraries and checking books out to eager students.
Graphic novels and comic books are excellent resources that help engage students with literature and art. From phenomenal fantasy adventures, to riveting retellings of historical events, there’s a graphic novel for everyone!
The characters and images in graphic novels draw students to them, and most importantly - get students reading!
How will your donation be utilized?
Every dollar donated will go toward purchasing Comic Books, of course!
Specifically, here’s what we’ll be doing with the funds:
1. Expanding the Comic Book Libraries program into more classrooms.
2. Obtaining multiple copies of our favorite books to support discussion groups.
3. Purchasing great books that haven’t been donated yet.
Don’t forget, you can always donate books as well! Just drop them off or mail them to the Ypsilanti District Library at 229 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti MI 48197, and address them to Hero Nation. Our friends at the library will let us know when they arrive :)
How Comics Help
As referenced in Black Comics: Politics, Race and Representation , according to American psychologists Richard Koestner, Joel Weinberger, and David C. McClelland, superheroes can have a significant impact on the young developing mind for both personality and identity development; specifically through the process of self-identification and cultural association with the fictional heroes. Simply put, comics can help us discover the hero within.
We’ve provided some links below to a few amazing TED talks delivered by educators and professionals who we really admire, that support utilizing comic books as literature:
Gene Luen Yang - Comics Belong In The Classroom
Illya Kowalchuk - How Comic Books Can Transform Student Learning
Michael Uslan - The Boy Who Loved Batman
About Hero Nation
Hero Nation is an organization in Ypsilanti, Michigan with the mission to help everyone discover the hero within through events and programs based in nerd culture that foster empowering, creative, and educational experiences for underrepresented and marginalized communities — including youth, people of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, women, and people with low socioeconomic status.
OUR SUCCESSFUL CROWDFUNDED PROJECTS
Thanks to your support, we've had great success in the past with our other crowdfunded projects for our free community events:
Photography by Doug Coombe
Black Panther Event
• Total raised = $10,550
• Took over 100 students to a free screening of Marvel's BlackPanther
• Gifted free Black Panther merchandise, Black comic literature, and food.
• Featured special guest performances by two African drum and dance groups.
Photography by Nick Azzaro
Hero Nation Con 2017
• Total raised= $4,015
• Free admission
• The event had 150+ attendees
• Gave away donated items such as toys, comic books, and food.
Gaming Warriors
• Total raised = $6,030
• Served 12 youth in an eSports video game program that centered social-emotional learning youth engagement.
Other Ways You Can Help
Can't donate? That's OK. Here are other ways you can help:
• Share and spread the word about the campaign on your social media.
• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter , Instagram .
• Tell us what you think about Comic Book Libraries and Hero Nation.
Check out our site at www.heronationypsi.com
Learn more about the Comic Book Libraries program at www.comicbooklibaries.com
Thank you for your support.
About Comic Book Libraries
When I was a student, all I did was read comic books. They expanded my vocabulary, provided role models, introduced me to themes like tragedy and perseverance, and gave me a sincere appreciation for art and literature.
Comic Book Libraries is a Hero Nation initiative that seeks to improve youth literacy by providing high-interest reading material to classrooms throughout our community.
We currently have educators at five different schools throughout our community hosting Comic Book Libraries and checking books out to eager students.
Graphic novels and comic books are excellent resources that help engage students with literature and art. From phenomenal fantasy adventures, to riveting retellings of historical events, there’s a graphic novel for everyone!
The characters and images in graphic novels draw students to them, and most importantly - get students reading!
How will your donation be utilized?
Every dollar donated will go toward purchasing Comic Books, of course!
Specifically, here’s what we’ll be doing with the funds:
1. Expanding the Comic Book Libraries program into more classrooms.
2. Obtaining multiple copies of our favorite books to support discussion groups.
3. Purchasing great books that haven’t been donated yet.
Don’t forget, you can always donate books as well! Just drop them off or mail them to the Ypsilanti District Library at 229 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti MI 48197, and address them to Hero Nation. Our friends at the library will let us know when they arrive :)
How Comics Help
As referenced in Black Comics: Politics, Race and Representation , according to American psychologists Richard Koestner, Joel Weinberger, and David C. McClelland, superheroes can have a significant impact on the young developing mind for both personality and identity development; specifically through the process of self-identification and cultural association with the fictional heroes. Simply put, comics can help us discover the hero within.
We’ve provided some links below to a few amazing TED talks delivered by educators and professionals who we really admire, that support utilizing comic books as literature:
Gene Luen Yang - Comics Belong In The Classroom
Illya Kowalchuk - How Comic Books Can Transform Student Learning
Michael Uslan - The Boy Who Loved Batman
About Hero Nation
Hero Nation is an organization in Ypsilanti, Michigan with the mission to help everyone discover the hero within through events and programs based in nerd culture that foster empowering, creative, and educational experiences for underrepresented and marginalized communities — including youth, people of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, women, and people with low socioeconomic status.
OUR SUCCESSFUL CROWDFUNDED PROJECTS
Thanks to your support, we've had great success in the past with our other crowdfunded projects for our free community events:
Photography by Doug CoombeBlack Panther Event
• Total raised = $10,550
• Took over 100 students to a free screening of Marvel's BlackPanther
• Gifted free Black Panther merchandise, Black comic literature, and food.
• Featured special guest performances by two African drum and dance groups.
Photography by Nick Azzaro Hero Nation Con 2017
• Total raised= $4,015
• Free admission
• The event had 150+ attendees
• Gave away donated items such as toys, comic books, and food.
Gaming Warriors
• Total raised = $6,030
• Served 12 youth in an eSports video game program that centered social-emotional learning youth engagement.
Other Ways You Can Help
Can't donate? That's OK. Here are other ways you can help:
• Share and spread the word about the campaign on your social media.
• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter , Instagram .
• Tell us what you think about Comic Book Libraries and Hero Nation.
Check out our site at www.heronationypsi.com
Learn more about the Comic Book Libraries program at www.comicbooklibaries.com
Thank you for your support.
Fundraising team: Hero Nation Ypsi (2)
Eric Furlong
Organizer
Ypsilanti, MI
Jermaine Dickerson
Team member