Finkelstein Memorial Library Receives 2025 ALSC/Candlewick Press Light the Way Grant

CHICAGO - The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced that Finkelstein Memorial Library is the recipient of the 2025 ALSC/Candlewick Press "Light the Way: Outreach to the Underserved" Grant. As recipient of the grant, the library will receive $3,000 to implement a 15-week ESL program for families.

The Light the Way Grant, which honors Newbery medalist and Geisel winner Kate DiCamillo, is now in its thirteenth year. Although originally conceived as a one-time award, it has continued to be awarded through the generosity of Candlewick Press.

With this grant, the Finkelstein Memorial Library will build on current, popular ESL classes for adults at the library and add an additional program for families and teens. The program was designed in response to community requests, both from potential students and the Family Resource Center of the library’s local school system.  Working with several local organizations, the library plans to serve up to 60 families through the program.

“Finkelstein Memorial Library did a wonderful job putting together a thorough proposal.  The committee really appreciated the incorporation of local community stakeholders and their responsiveness to requests,” stated ALSC Program and Services Recognition Co-chairs Jennifer Knight and Tammie Benham.

“This grant will have a meaningful impact on our ability to serve families and expand language learning opportunities,” said Elizabeth Portillo, the Head of Youth Services for the Finkelstein Memorial Library upon receiving the award.

“Candlewick Press is delighted to be able to support Finkelstein Memorial Library in launching this deeply meaningful initiative through this year’s Light the Way Grant. We recognize the tremendous value of a program like Inglés para Todos: Family Language Learning in empowering families and strengthening communities," said Sawako Shirota, Manager of Library Marketing at Candlewick Press.

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About ALSC: The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is driven by more than 3,000 members dedicated to the support and enrichment of library service to children. Our members include youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty. ALSC supports its members in engaging communities to build healthy, successful, futures for all children. To learn more about ALSC and how to join, please visit: www.ala.org/alsc .

About Candlewick Press: For more than thirty years, Candlewick has published outstanding children’s books for readers of all ages, including books by award-winning authors and illustrators such as current National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett, Ambassadors emerita Kate DiCamillo and Meg Medina, Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen, Christina Soontornvat, M. T. Anderson, Patrick Ness, and Carole Boston Weatherford; the widely acclaimed Judy Moody, Mercy Watson, Princess in Black and ’Ology series; and favorites such as Guess How Much I Love You, Maisy, and Where’s Waldo? by Martin Handford. Candlewick is part of the Walker Books Group. Visit Candlewick online at www.candlewick.com.