Giving Kids the Gift of a Book
To foster a love of reading, Corewell Health Healthier Communities purchased a book vending machine for the students at Daly Elementary in Inkster, Michigan. The vending machine is regularly stocked with a variety of books that students can purchase with a token. Students receive a token as a reward for attendance, grades, and good behavior, and each student also receives a token on their birthday.
Reading provides children with a mental escape from reality and allows them to immerse themselves into the story. My hope was that this book vending machine would strengthen the connection our students have with reading, while aiding in the reduction of stress and enhancing emotional awareness. The books we provide students will help them feel seen and recognize that everyone feels and everyone experiences. It gives them a safe space to explore this, while connecting with themselves and the world around them.
Reading provides children with a mental escape from reality and allows them to immerse themselves into the story. My hope was that this book vending machine would strengthen the connection our students have with reading, while aiding in the reduction of stress and enhancing emotional awareness. The books we provide students will help them feel seen and recognize that everyone feels and everyone experiences. It gives them a safe space to explore this, while connecting with themselves and the world around them.
Reading provides children with a mental escape from reality and allows them to immerse themselves into the story. My hope was that this book vending machine would strengthen the connection our students have with reading, while aiding in the reduction of stress and enhancing emotional awareness. The books we provide students will help them feel seen and recognize that everyone feels and everyone experiences. It gives them a safe space to explore this, while connecting with themselves and the world around them.
Reading provides children with a mental escape from reality and allows them to immerse themselves into the story. My hope was that this book vending machine would strengthen the connection our students have with reading, while aiding in the reduction of stress and enhancing emotional awareness. The books we provide students will help them feel seen and recognize that everyone feels and everyone experiences. It gives them a safe space to explore this, while connecting with themselves and the world around them.
At Daly Elementary, the partnership between Corewell Health and the school community is creating more than just access to care—it’s building a foundation for emotional growth, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. A Corewell Health therapist is on site daily to provide students with one-on-one therapy. They also develop classroom lessons about bullying, problem solving, friendships, self-esteem, and more. Whether through therapy sessions or the simple joy of choosing a new book, students are being empowered to thrive both in and out of the classroom. It’s one more way Corewell Health is helping kids feel seen, supported, and inspired—one story at a time.