At Bergen CASA, we are incredibly fortunate to receive a steady stream of books thanks to a wonderful bookstore in Greenpoint, Brooklyn called Word — where my daughter works. Early on, we learned that slightly damaged books — those with creased pages or small tears in the cover — cannot be sold. Publishers are notified and often replace the books, but the damaged copies still need a good home.
That’s where Bergen CASA comes in. Word now generously donates these children’s books to us, alongside other organizations like hospitals and food pantries. Each shipment is met with joy — not only by our staff, but by our Advocates as well. They love to “shop” our shelves, picking out stories to share with their foster youth.
These books are more than just pages and pictures. They are a doorway into new worlds, an opportunity for children to immerse themselves in fantastic stories, vibrant illustrations, and the joy of reading. It’s deeply rewarding to see the excitement on the faces of both our Advocates and the children when a new story is chosen.
I have to admit, sometimes it’s hard to part with them myself — especially the ones with truly stunning illustrations. They feel like treasures. But knowing that they bring hours of joy, spark imagination, and nurture a love of reading makes letting them go worthwhile.
We are so grateful to Word in Greenpoint for their generosity. These books are more than donations; they are gifts of imagination, comfort, and joy — treasures that brighten the lives of the foster families we serve.
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