The Claremont Forum’s Prison Library Project has been awarded the Congressional Leadership Building Bridges Award by Congresswoman Judy Chu of California’s 28th Congressional District. An award ceremony will take place Saturday, July 29 at Arcadia’s Recreation and Community Services Department, 375 Campus Dr. Contact the Claremont Forum at (909) 626-3066 or claremontforum.org/contact for more information.

The annual award, given to organizations that have demonstrated excellence in connecting diverse communities and tackling pressing social issues, was given to PLP for “its work to expand reading and educational opportunities for incarcerated adults nationwide,” a news release read.

“This award is a testament to the dedication of our volunteers and the unwavering support the Prison Library Project has garnered from the Claremont community,” wrote Pam Hawkes, president of The Claremont Forum Board of Directors, in a statement. “We stand firm in our dedication to fostering reading and literacy among incarcerated individuals across the nation.”

The Claremont Forum’s Prison Library Project is one of the nation’s largest books-to-prisoners initiatives and has delivered thousands of books and educational materials to incarcerated individuals since its 1986 inception.

More information is at claremontforum.org.