Based on the experiences of the Harvard Emerging Literacy Project (HELP), this booklet helps interested college students to start early childhood literacy programs. After a foreword by Education Secretary Richard W. Riley and a preface, the booklet discusses HELP and provides guidelines for starting such a project, including basic principles, taking advantage of the school's resources, training, recruiting volunteers, working with--not simply for--communities, keeping the dialogue going, and establishing a firm base from which to grow. The booklet then presents a summary of recent brain research, and discussions of the role families and communities play, children in poverty, and why young children need help. The booklet next discusses the Head Start program, the Even Start program, and the America Reads Challenge. A checklist and descriptions of 27 literacy groups, college-based programs, early childhood literacy materials, and Internet resources are attached. (RS)