Read Where You Are: Bringing Books and Programs to Children Navigating Housing Insecurity in NYC
By jourdan hercsek
Decades of research has shown that literacy is linked to important life outcomes. Whether it’s academic success, emotional development, or future financial achievement, access to books and reading impacts many aspects of children’s lives. For children navigating housing insecurity, the impact of having literacy skills is particularly significant. Without access to literary resources they can fall behind in their schooling and are more likely to experience homelessness again.
To help bridge this resource gap, Brooklyn Book Bodega created Read Where You Are. Launched in partnership with the New York City Public Schools Office of Students in Temporary Housing & Foster Care, this program is designed to enhance literacy and reading opportunities in shelter sites across the five boroughs.
Now in its second year, the program hosted activations at shelter sites alongside partners like WIN (Women In Need) and WPA (Women’s Prison Association). The second year saw the program expand from six shelter sites to 13, with an average of two Big Book Parties per site. These programs featured entertainment, activities, and gave children the opportunity to browse and choose books of their own to keep. In addition to these pop-up events, Brooklyn Book Bodega conducted refreshes of existing libraries in shelter sites, giving families a welcoming space to read and engage with books.
This program’s success was a culmination of efforts from different collaborators, each working with passion and commitment to bring Read Where You Are to life. From our program coordinator who led the initiative, to our partner organizations that opened their doors and the entities that fueled the work, everyone involved played an integral role in ensuring Read Where You Are expanded literacy and reading opportunities for students and families.
To get a deeper sense of the program and its impact, we heard from Brooklyn Book Bodega Program Coordinator Michele Fontalvo, WIN Chief Program & Strategic Advocacy Office Diana Santos, NYCPS Office of Students in Temporary Housing and Foster Care Senior Director Wayne Harris, and from the families themselves. Their stories paint a picture of the experiences at the heart of this program, and the difference it’s made for our neighbors and their communities.
Bringing Literacy to Shelter Sites Across the Five Boroughs
“Joy is the word I keep coming back to, because I witnessed it everywhere,” shares Michele.
Reflecting on her memories from the Big Book Parties, she tells a story that illustrates the impact that access to books has on children and families. “I watched children eagerly browse through books—they would start with one book, then another, and before long their tote bags were full. There was laughter, sharing, and excitement as they told volunteers why they chose certain titles. Some were thrilled to finally find the missing book that completed a favorite series. One little boy proudly told me he had found an Elmo book to match his favorite Elmo toy. He couldn't stop smiling or talking about how excited he was to read it.”
Some of Michele’s favorite moments, “came from watching older siblings carefully choose books for their younger brothers and sisters who were too young to read or were napping during the event.” Watching children select their own books inspired her to picture the impact that those books would have. “I imagined the books being read at bedtime, after school, at the park, or in a temporary shelter before eventually making their way into a family's forever home. I pictured babies turning the pages of sturdy board books until they were ready to graduate to chapter books years later. Those moments reminded me that a single book can become part of a family's story.”
Beyond expanding book access for families at shelter sites, the Read Where You Are program brought to life the Brooklyn Book Bodega core value of Community. As Michele shares, “The Big Book Parties offered something for everyone—a snack station, play areas, hundreds of books to browse, reading tip sheets, bookmarks, and even live entertainment like magic shows. More than anything, they created community. Families made room for one another's strollers, offered seats to larger families, and celebrated together.”
Michele’s experience coordinating Read Where You Are highlights the program’s positive cascading effect on families and communities. Thinking about the Big Book Parties, she adds, “There was a collective sense of kindness and belonging that filled every space we entered.”
Partnering to Make a Difference
One of our key partners in the Read Where You Are program is the NYCPS Office of Students in Temporary Housing and Foster Care. They play an important role in supporting displaced students through fostering educational stability and offering a wide range of resources to help students stay on track educationally. It was a natural fit for the Office to partner with Brooklyn Book Bodega for Read Where You Are, and they provided the support needed to turn the vision of this program into a reality for kids and families.
Wayne from NYCPS Students in Temporary Housing & Foster Care shares, “Every free book placed in a child's hands is an investment in possibility. Every library created in a shelter is a declaration that children experiencing homelessness deserve the very best.”
Another essential partner in this endeavor is the shelter sites themselves. Diana from WIN saw firsthand the effects that the program had on the children and families she serves.
As she shares, “What made this partnership especially meaningful was that it went far beyond the distribution of books. Brooklyn Book Bodega helped create joyful celebrations at each shelter, complete with food, magicians, entertainment, and opportunities for families and staff to come together. These events gave our communities the chance to break bread, laugh, and experience moments of normalcy and celebration that children and families living in shelter do not always have access to.”
When asked to reflect on the difference the program made, she says, “The impact was both educational and deeply relational. The library spaces created lasting opportunities for children to strengthen their literacy skills, discover new interests, and see themselves reflected in stories. At the same time, the celebrations opened the door for stronger engagement between families and staff. When families feel welcomed, and cared for, trust grows—and that trust creates opportunities for deeper connection and support.”
Working closely with Michele to put on the Big Book Parties, Diana also recognized the intentional approach the program takes to serve families that are navigating housing insecurity. “We are especially appreciative of the Brooklyn Book Bodega staff and their ability to work with our families through a thoughtful, and trauma-informed lens. Their team understood that families in shelter deserve more than services; they deserve dignity, moments of joy, and experiences that affirm their humanity. They approached every event with compassion, ensuring that children and caregivers felt seen and celebrated.”
Diana adds, “This partnership represents the very best of what can happen when community organizations come together around a shared commitment to children and families. Brooklyn Book Bodega did not simply provide books—they helped create community, and spaces where children could feel inspired and at home. We are proud to celebrate this partnership and look forward to continuing our work together!"
Voices from the Program
When filling out surveys after the Big Book Parties, families shared more about their difficulties getting books for their children. Many families cited that it was a challenge to get books because of “financial hardship” and “cost”. One parent noted that there was “no where to get books” for her family, while others shared that with limited resources it was difficult to provide books for their children.
The surveys also reflected the popularity of the Big Book Parties, and the positive effects it had for both caregivers and children. One parent shared, “The entertainment was amazing. My daughter loved the magician and all his tricks. My daughter met new friends attending today. I would bring her again.”
Another parent said, “The magic show was amazing and it was very kind of Brooklyn Book Bodega to bring us all those free books.” Other responses were more succinct, but showed the program’s impact on families. One parent simply wrote, “Appreciative and grateful”, and there were countless “thank you” messages. Another recurring theme was parents sharing their desire for Brooklyn Book Bodega to “keep coming back” and “come by more often.”
These responses illustrate the need for access to books at shelter sites, and the need for programs like Read Where You Are. More than anything, they show what can happen when organizations come together to support book access and literacy for those who might otherwise have limited access to those resources.
Looking Ahead to the Next Chapter
Following the second successful year of Read Where You Are, Brooklyn Book Bodega is looking ahead with excitement for the opportunities to grow the program and reach even more children and families. As the program continues to expand, its greatest strength remains the same: meeting communities where they are and creating meaningful moments through books. For Michele, those moments have reinforced what the program is truly about.
As Michele shares, “The Read Where You Are program reminded me that literacy is about so much more than books. It's about access, belonging, imagination, and hope. Every story placed into a child's hands has the potential to strengthen family bonds, inspire curiosity, and open doors to new possibilities. Watching these moments unfold across the five boroughs showed me that when we bring books directly to communities, we're doing more than building home libraries—we're helping build brighter futures.”
Jourdan Hercsek is Brooklyn Book Bodega’s Communications Associate.
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