MISSION:
It is the mission of Cops 'N Kids, Saginaw, Inc. to enable and empower
all children to strive toward a successful life.  Learning to love reading leads to school success, which in turn leads to life success.

In addition, children who interact positively with police officers will
develop a more trusting relationship with law enforcement. The primary objective is to improve the reading skills of children, by introducing them to the  adventure and creativity that is received from reading for pleasure.

Why is Cops 'N Kids Important to Saginaw?
According to "The Read Aloud Handbook"
(Author Jim Trelease, Penguin Books, Ltd., 2001):

1. 82% of prison inmates are high school drop outs
2. Inmates are twice as likely to be ranked in the bottom levels of literacy
    as is the general population
3. 60% of inmates are illiterate
4. 63% of prison inmates are repeat  offenders.

When a child can't read he will most likely fail every subject. This may eventually lead him to drop out of school. When the drop out rate is decreased, the prison population decreases. Cops 'N Kids, Saginaw, Inc. is committed to decrease the drop out rate by encouraging reading or   pleasure.

Cops 'N Kids started in 1997 by former Racine, Wisconsin Police Officer Julia Burney-Witherspoon. Julia knew that some of the people she arrested couldn’t read their rights. She knew that reading broke the cycle of poverty for her and brought her into a successful law enforcement career. Julia believed the key to breaking that cycle for others was to get them reading. She started giving children books out of her patrol car. Children began chasing after patrol cars to get a book. That’s how it started!

We read about the Racine program and thought Saginaw could use this type of literacy program. Cops 'N Kids, Saginaw, Inc. started meeting in April 2004. The original group consisted of Leisa Schirmer, Lt. Steve Martin, Sgt. Harry Davis, Heather Appold, and Dianne Swisher. The board of directors has now grown to over 20 people.

The Saginaw City Police Department was the first department to participate. The Saginaw Township Police Department was next, followed by the Saginaw County Sheriffs Department and the Thomas Township Police Departments. Every Saginaw County police department, fire department, and rescue department are welcomed to participate.

Cops 'N Kids, Saginaw, Inc. received it’s non-profit tax status in October 2004.