Seventy percent of inmates in America’s prisons cannot read above a fourth-grade level.

Eighty-five percent of juveniles who are in the juvenile court system are functionally illiterate.

And, prison records show inmates have a 16 percent chance of returning to prison if they receive literacy help, as opposed to 70 percent if they receive no help, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

But rather this issue be a cause for despair, Brothers of Concern (BOC) have looked at the crime and illiteracy rates as a cause for action.

The Chester-based, anti-violence group will be combating the issue through its Real Men Really Read campaign, an initiative that includes collaborating with the community to engage adults and youth in promoting reading.

“A lot of young men think it’s cool to be bad, but we want to show them it’s cool to read and prepare for your future,” said Jonathan Abdur-Rahim King, executive director of BOC. “This program is a vehicle that can be used as part as one of the entities to change the condition of our people in the neighborhood. We want to send the message that young Black men with a past can be very significant in changing the future for our children.”

Established in 2010 after the death of two-year-old Terrence “Pop” Webster, BOC mission is to get local men involved in taking leadership in their communities by getting rid of violence and drugs in the neighborhoods by providing various programs.

“These young men are killing each other as if they don’t value life,” said Kenny Covert, founder of BOC. “The women would always say that the men of the community need to step up and help mentor these young men. We’re trying to do that. We are instilling hope back into the community by having various programs to help combat the violence and enhance their future.”

The program, which started on the 83rd birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will provide participants with books that play a pivotal role to African-American history.

“We started this initiative on Dr. King’s birthday,” said Leo Davis II, assistant director of BOC. “We wanted to keep Dr. King’s dream alive by picking up where he left off. We would be remiss if we don’t pay homage to those before us. Young men can’t know where they’re going until they know where they’ve been. The only way for them to know where they have been is to educate themselves on their history.”

Participants will read a different book each month. Some of the books include “The Mis-Education of the Negro” by Carter G. Woodson, “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Alex Haley and “Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance” by President Barack Obama.

“Growing up, I didn’t like to read,” said Joe Benson, secretary of BOC. “I was always street smart, but I wasn’t book smart. This program will not only help the children with their future, but it will teach me some things also. I tell my family and these young men all the time, don’t be like me, be better than me. The only way we can overcome violence is to be accountable for each other and to educate ourselves on how to be better.”

In addition to participants learning their history, BOC is hoping the program will help young men make better decisions with their life.

“A lot of us have done some of the things that the young men are doing now,” said Marvin Freeman, member of BOC. “Our motive is to get them away from what they are doing. A lot of the kids are reaching out, and we have to reach out to them; even if it’s just a hug or to tell them we love them. They need guidance, because a lot of them don’t have fathers. We want them to succeed.”

Founder of the William Trippley Foundation and mother to William Trippley III, Patricia Demiranda believes that BOC will help young men make good decisions. Demiranda’s son was killed in 2004 near his home in Chester.

“Young men need their fathers, and a lot of fathers are not a part of their lives,” she said. “Mentors like the men from BOC will help them make good decisions. When my son was murdered I didn’t do the teddy bears, candles and vigils because I knew where he was killed in Chester. For parents who are in similar situations, instead of purchasing teddy bears for a vigil, purchase books. Show your children how to read, and help break the cycle of violence by helping them prepare for their future.”

For more information on BOC, visit brothersofconcern.org.