Start Lighthouse

At our Literacy Hubs, book shopping days are always something special.

At PS 214, the entire space came alive as our students flipped through pages, called friends over to share a discovery, and carefully considered which books they wanted to take home. The room filled with conversation, recommendations, and that focused excitement that comes when a child finds a story that feels just right.

There is something incredibly powerful about watching children choose brand new books that belong to them. Books they can take home, place on their own shelves, and return to again and again. Over the course of the academic year, students walk away with an entire curated home library built book by book, choice by choice.

This is what access looks like. This is what ownership feels like. And this is why we build Literacy Hubs.

We had the incredible joy of hosting Dav Pilkey at , where students from both PS 161 and P643X gathered to celebrate the release of Dog Man: Big Jim Believes. Dav spent time speaking with our students about persistence, imagination, creativity, and the resilience it takes to grow into the person you want to become. He shared stories from his own childhood with so much warmth and honesty, and our students were completely engaged from the very first moment.

It was powerful to see how deeply they connected with his message and how meaningful it was for them to hear directly from an author whose books they know and love. Every child received a signed copy of his newest book which made the experience even more special and created a moment they will remember for a long time.

We are deeply grateful to Lizette and the entire team at Scholastic for helping make this visit a reality for our students in the Bronx. Your steadfast support continues to open doors, expand access, and create opportunities that truly matter for our young readers.

At our upcoming 5-Year Anniversary Celebration, Start Lighthouse is honored to recognize Assemblymember Amanda Septimo for her unwavering belief in the power of literacy to transform lives in the Bronx.

A lifelong Bronx resident, Assemblymember Septimo has dedicated her career to ensuring children and families have access to the opportunities and resources they need to thrive. From her early days tutoring and mentoring local youth, to her leadership as District Director and now as a State Assemblymember, she has been a tireless champion for educational equity and a steadfast supporter of literacy.

We are so proud to celebrate her leadership and partnership at this milestone event. Join us as we mark 5 years of advancing literacy in the Bronx. Tickets are available through the link in bio.