C - O - L - L - A - B - O - R - A - T - I - O - N
The act of two or more entities working together to achieve a goal together.
Two is better than one.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
A House divided against itself cannot stand.
#BetterTogether
Self-help books crowd book stores with leaders extolling the virtues of working together. No matter what industry you work in, best practices include establishing collaboration within the team or across the company but if you have ever been on a team, you know it is not always easy to “play nice”. Lack of communication, differing priorities, various opinions, rivalries, and ultimately, the time to learn how to value and trust the other person often undermine the desire or ability to collaborate.
Here at Book Drive for Kids we place a high priority on Collaboration. As a small, grassroots organization focused in the DFW area, we know that we have a limited sphere of influence, capacity, time, and effort; however, when there’s an army of people working toward the same goal, we can support each other with tools, encouragement, and resources. Then those ripples flow out far and wide.
Free book fairs are at the heart of Book Drive for Kids’ mission and the primary vehicle we use to get books into the hearts and homes of disadvantaged children. Yet we have found a way to expand our “ripples” despite our small size.
We collaborate with multiple groups across the metroplex who are working to achieve our same goal: to build a culture of literacy for the next generation through wide access to books.
We’d like you to meet a couple of them!
Owenwood Neighborhood Farm and Neighborhood Space
“Thank you so much for making all this happen! Our summer kiddos have spent so much time in the loft area reading!”
On June 20, 2024, Book Drive for Kids officially opened the Library Space at Owenwood Farm and Neighborhood Space, a community center in Far East Dallas created on the grounds of a former Methodist Church.
For many years, this area of Dallas has been a food desert, book desert, and a child care desert. Owenwood formed to meet the tangible needs of the local residents, like after-school classes, free food and diaper distribution, senior art and exercise classes, and free summer camps. They also offer low-cost office space to other non-profit organizations who serve the community.
When residents started asking about an on-site library, Director Jessica Hernandez decided a loft space (former balcony) could be transformed to a cozy reading area.
But how could they get the books and bookshelves?
Book Drive for Kids, of course!
For the past two years, Owenwood has sponsored the free book fair at Conner Elementary, literally its neighbor. When Jessica asked us about this project, we were thrilled to join in. With #Giving Tuesday funds from Thrift Books, we purchased bookshelves and brought books to fill them up!
“Thank you so much for making all this happen! Our summer kiddos have spent so much time in the loft area reading!”
Jessica Hernandez
Executive Director
A few years ago, we had an overabundance of board book donations. (Board books are the heavy cardboard books that are made durable for little hands.) We went searching for a group that could find them good homes.
Through a friend, we found Child Care Group, a nonprofit in Dallas that works to improve early childhood education, by equipping stay-at-home parents and small child care providers with tools, training, and support to ensure that young children in low-income areas are ready for kindergarten. Since Texas is ranked 50th (that’s the bottom) in high quality child care available in low-income areas. Child Care Group services are vital and are bridging this gap.
We were delighted to meet Cynthia Garrison, the Home Based Program Manager and the feeling is mutual.
“We are so grateful for Book Drive for Kids. Without their generous donations, we would be lacking in providing free resources, such as books, including bi-lingual books, and supplies to our families to use in their homes. Sometimes families come to us with nothing. Because of Book Drive for Kids support, we can gift them with books, and other learning materials. Book Drive for Kids always thinks of us and are passionate about supporting early readers.”
This is what COLLABORATION looks like! People working together to share resources and empower others to meet the goal together. In this case, our mutual goal is promoting literacy but more than that, it is ensuring that the next generation is equipped to lead and grow our community.
Click image to view our NTX Giving Day flyer
Your gift this NTX Giving Day allows us to provide books and resources to other groups – FREE OF CHARGE – who are serving families that we would never be able to reach with our limited staff. We are all working together to help bring books into the hearts and homes of families who need them.
Let’s Collaborate!!
Michelle Cook
Co-Founder & Executive Director