Hassan Fountain Sr. has a vision of placing children’s libraries in every subsidized housing community across Virginia, especially in Richmond, to increase literacy and help youths see a brighter future.

That vision was the seed for Mr. Fountain creating Fountain for Youth Foundation, a literacy advocacy organization whose mission is to raise awareness, build character and literacy for children living in low-income communities by giving them books and establishing libraries in their neighborhoods. “There are not a lot of people working on literacy in low-income areas,” the 41-year-old says. “Many of these children don’t have the opportunity to get to a public library because of transportation problems, safety in their communities and many other factors.”

So Fountain for Youth is working to fill the void.

To date, Mr. Fountain says, the foundation has placed 32,000 books in eight community libraries — seven in the Richmond area and one in Halifax County, where he spent his teenage years.

All are in located in low-income communities, among them Gilpin Court at the Friends Association building, community centers in Blackwell and Mosby Court public housing communities; the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond Fairfield Court unit, and Country Green Apartments in South Boston in Halifax County.

Another library, sponsored by an area McDonald’s, is situated in Henrico County’s Essex Village complex, which was sold recently and renamed the Maggie Lena Walker Apartments, he notes. Each was started with about 3,500 books, he says. The collections grow periodically with the help of his wife, family, friends and sponsors.

His wife, Emerald, and others, he explains, help collect thousands of book on different categories and topics — African-American and American history, sports, science, math and other subjects.

Several sponsors also have come on board, he says, including his company, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, where he works as a machine operator. Coca-Cola, Kool Smiles, McDonald’s and others have been open to fund the book and reading areas that include beanbag chairs and other fun accessories for children. Many are happy that someone is trying to help area children.

“Reading opens up a child’s imagination,” Mr. Fountain says. “No matter where you live, no matter what you are going through, pick up a book and it can take you anywhere — Mars, Arizona or California.

“Books will open up your mind and let you know that you can get out of your bubble. You don’t have to be a product of your environment.”

The Fountain for Youth Foundation plans to open 18 more libraries in 2018 in different parts of the state, he says, including Petersburg, Portsmouth, Danville and Roanoke.

Mr. Fountain’s interest in books, reading and education started at a young age. His mother, Vivian Graves, is a longtime schoolteacher. He said her job didn’t pay much years ago, and his life growing up was similar to that of the children his libraries serve. “I grew up in public housing in South Side from elementary to middle school in the 1980s when the neighborhood was really drug infested and where murders were going on,” he says.

“We moved to Halifax where my mother grew up and presently teaches kindergarten through second grade. That’s where I graduated high school. That was a 360-degree change in culture and living.” His mother, he says, “did everything she could to keep us safe and educated. No matter where we lived, she made sure we had books in our apartment. She made sure we had books to read every day. My family never threw away books.”

Through reading, his mother instilled in him and his siblings that they could discover places and opportunities in the world outside of their immediate environment.

“All of my mother’s sisters were educators. My mother’s uncle was the president of Fayetteville State College. I had influential people in my family, whether educators or entrepreneurs,” Mr. Fountain says. “I am one of them, no matter my job title.”

His older sister, Pia Fountain, teaches special education at Armstrong High School in Richmond. “I want the people to get involved — to help the foundation restore our future,” he says. This is our passion for all children.”

Meet literacy advocate, foundation founder and this week’s Personality, Hassan Fountain Sr.

Occupation: Machine operator for Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated.

Duties: To make sure machine works effectively.

Community involvement: Founder and CEO of Fountain for Youth Foundation.

Date and place of birth: June 27 in Halifax County.

Current residence: Richmond’s Ginter Park area.

Education: Bryant & Stratton College, business management.

Family: Wife, Emerald; and children, Parash, 23, fraternal twins, Hassan Jr. and Tashan, 21, Ymonee, 19, Harmony, 4, Melody, 2, and Jamal,1.

When I created Fountain for Youth Foundation: November 2016.

Reason for founding: I grew up in South Side in a low-income area and ran for Richmond City Council in the 3rd District and knocked on many doors. A lot of kids in the 3rd District didn’t have reading materials. I wanted to put books out in the community.

Foremost mission: To spread and uplift literacy throughout the state.

Why I am excited about this organization: I see it bringing people together.

How many books have been distributed throughout the community: Approximately 32,000 since January.

How many community libraries have been created: Eight community libraries have been created. Seven are in the Richmond area, with the latest one created two weeks ago in Mosby Court, and one library in Halifax County.

Why reading is important: Reading is fundamental.

How to become a volunteer: Contact us at (804) 687-6802.

How I start the day: I get up around 7:30 a.m. and usually make my wife some coffee.

Perfect day for me is: Getting and giving away 2,000 books.

If I had more time, I would: Find some investors to build a school.

Favorite book genre: Westerns.

Best thing my parents ever taught me: My mother, Vivian Graves, who is a schoolteacher, taught me to never give up and always follow your dreams.

Author who influenced me the most: Les Brown.

What I’m reading now: A lot of children’s books and some history books.

The one thing that I’ve learned in life: Never judge a book by its cover.

My next goal: To create a vocational school.