Fall brought a new partnership for Twice Upon a Time!
During our first year of operations, we are exploring a variety of service models and partnerships to see what are the best ways to get good quality new and gently used books into the hands of children who need them.
Our pop-up free bookstore at Heartwood House has been open twice a week since May, and in October we launched a new and exciting partnership with the Housing Support Office of the Taggart Family YM-YWCA located in Centretown.
Amber James from the YM-YWCA explained that there are approximately 100 people at any time living at the Y. About 60 of the residents are children. These families, many of whom are newcomers to Canada, live on two floors of the Y residence tower while they wait for access to long term housing.
Twice Upon a Time has filled two donated bookcases with a wide variety of books suitable for children up to age 12. The Y has provided a dedicated room where residents can access books day and night, seven days a week. Families can keep the books they select and take them to their new homes when they move out of the Y. Volunteers visit the Y twice per month to replenish the books, and read aloud to the children.
According to Twice Upon a Time volunteer Marni Squire, “the goal of this partnership is to get books into the homes of children who do not have many books, and extend our reach beyond the Vanier/Overbrook neighbourhood where our pop-up free bookstore is located.”
“Living in supportive housing at the Y is not always easy for the residents,” said Squire. “The staff are wonderful and the environment is safe, but the families must share kitchen space and the rooms are small. It is an anxious time for some as they wait for their own home.”
The new Twice Upon a Time book room provides a place where families can visit and interact with one another outside of their apartments, and children are warmly welcomed.
Squire said the new partnership with the Y is off to a great start. "During out first month we distributed 81 books in English and French to resident children. Families are curious about the book room, and have begun recognizing Twice Upon a Time volunteers."
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Twice Upon a Time is having it’s first fundraiser! Join us Sunday December 7 at Trinity Anglican Church, 1230 Bank Street, for a concert of holiday favorites by Voices in Harmony (formerly the Orpheus Choral Group). Doors open at 3pm for a holiday bake and craft sale. The 90 minute concert starts at 4pm. Tickets are available at Kaleidoscope Kids Books, the Ottawa Folklore Centre, and at the door. $15 admission (free for kids under 12).