Today, the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) launched a new partnership with Citi as part of the company’s Global Community Day Reimagined campaign, with a virtual book drive that will result in the delivery of thousands of books to children and teenagers across New York City. Citi volunteers will choose from a list of books curated by ACS that are written by or about Black and Latinx individuals. Each book that is purchased will be matched by Citi, with the goal of collecting 2,500 books.
“The Administration for Children’s Services is committed to ensuring all children in New York City have the resources they need to reach their full potential and literacy is one of the greatest gifts we can give,” said ACS Commissioner David A. Hansell. “Books help teach children about the world, which is why our virtual book drive with Citi includes thousands of empowering books that represent the diversity of New York City and that are written by and about Black and Latinx individuals. I want to thank Citi for partnering with us on this book drive, which will benefit thousands of the children and teenagers we work with each day.”
“We know that children benefit not only from being read to at an early age, but by seeing characters that look like them in the books they read,” said Ed Skyler, Head of Global Public Affairs, Citi. “As part of our annual Global Community Day volunteer efforts, we are proud to partner with the Administration for Children’s Services to put more books that represent the diversity of New York in the hands of young New Yorkers.”
Books purchased by Citi volunteers through the virtual book drive will be delivered to children and teens across the City, including: those in foster care; those in the juvenile justice system; those temporarily residing at the Nicholas Scoppetta Children’s Center and other ACS-involved youth. Additionally, books will be delivered to children and teens in the communities surrounding the agency’s three Family Enrichment Centers. Each donated book will be matched by Citi, with the goal of securing 2,500 books.
Some of the books available for purchase include:
- “Antiracist Baby” by Ibram X. Kendi (ages 0 to 3);
- “A is for Activist” By Innosanto Nagara (ages 0 to 4);
- “ABC’s of Black History” by Rio Cortez (ages 5+);
- “If I Ran for President” by Catherine Stier (ages 4 to 8);
- “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson (ages 10 to 13);
- “The Coldest Winter Ever” by Sister Souljah (teens);
- “Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism and You” by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi (teens);
- “A Wreath for Emmett Till” by Marilyn Nelson (teens).
