The Young People We Serve

In their own words…

It’s not always easy to measure the impact of the real work that’s accomplished at The Book Works. They say it best when they share with us.

Each of the three young people who completed training this summer have returned to volunteer for The Book Works. “It’s really good to have a place I feel like I belong”, shared one young man.

When working with homeless youth recently, we found a note from a peer about how the books themselves made an impact. “M has been experiencing distress due to lack of things to do so we grabbed a few books to help him cope. I will cover the cost for them”.

As one recent intern finished their last day on the job, they reflected on how much they would miss The Book Works, saying “its the best job I’ve ever had”.

What makes them remarkable

Most of the young people working or volunteering at The Book Works are out of school and work because their education was disrupted due to childhood trauma, family poverty, or system involvement. What makes these young people remarkable is their resilience and their total commitment to making their lives about more than their current challenges. 

Live in high
poverty
areas
or are homeless

Have special education
or mental health
needs

Graduated from
high school

READ

Series on Louisville’s 17,000 young people who are out of school and work by Mandy McLaren, Courier Journal

LISTEN

WFPL story: The Next Louisville: Diving Deeper Into Young Adult Homelessness
by Amina Elahi

WATCH

View the Youth Voice video produced by AMPED to learn more about Louisville’s Disconnected Youth