Daughters of Wisdom Award $3000 Wisdom Grant to Book Fairies
Promoting the love of reading and getting high-interest books into the hands of those who wouldn't otherwise have access to them have been primary objectives of Book Fairies since 2012, and in realizing those goals, over 3.8 million books have been distributed to date. With this latest $3000 Wisdom Grant endorsed by Sr. Marie Josee Seide, DW, the Daughters of Wisdom is proud to make this the third time partnering with Book Fairies to advance their cause of reaching out to children in low–income, under-resourced communities and providing the tools and foundation for academic success: books.
The grant will help fund the Book Fairies' Director of Programs salary, a position they deem essential to their success. The central role of this position is to gather information from partnering schools and organizations regarding what books are most needed and coordinate book sourcing and sorting.
The undertaking of collecting and redistributing books has grown from serving Long Island and New York City schools, libraries, and individuals to include international partnerships.
The organization does its homework by researching community needs and collaborating with its members to provide them with high-interest and current books necessary to increase literacy rates. They also host a monthly book fair, inviting educators to choose books they need or want for their classroom, library, or individual students. As many as 20,000 books are distributed at these events.
Another component of their operation is to supply, maintain, and refresh bookshelves in public sites such as health centers, parks, railroad stations, grocery stores, doctors' offices, school childcare programs, transitional housing, soup kitchens, women's shelters, and community centers, and to organizations working with individuals in the correctional system.
In endorsing Book Fairies, Sr. Marie Josee said, "I call it a mission because watching them work and listening to the stories they shared about the recipients receiving the books and the positive influence it has on both their intellect and their vision for greater achievements in life, I feel the passion, dedication, and care they invest in making communities they serve socially healthier."
2024 Grant Fund Suspended
In 2024, the Daughters of Wisdom in the United States will commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of the United States Province. The Delegation Leadership Team will donate to the International Congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom for the education of Sisters and the worldwide mission. A donation will also be made to Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center in Litchfield, CT, to continue the Daughters of Wisdom mission in the United States.