5 REASONS TO DONATE TO WORD UP

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BOOKS!
Since June 2011, Word Up has evolved from a few stacks of books from local authors and small presses to a fully stocked, general-interest bilingual bookstore, carrying a wide array of affordable English- and Spanish-language titles. New York City features numerous literary spaces citywide, but relatively few uptown. As a Northern Manhattan outpost, Word Up has programmed or hosted hundreds of readings, and has passed through thousands of dollars to uptown authors through the sale of their work. We have recirculated tens of thousands of used books, in partnership with educators, performers, and neighborhood organizations. We have become the premier uptown bookseller in just 5 years, thanks to readers like you!

A CREATIVE, ENGAGING SPACE FOR EVERYONE
In our changing city and in the digital age, it is crucial that neighbors have a concrete place to connect with one another in a casual way. By hosting community meetings, arts events, and political discussions, Word Up builds networks and connections among people of different backgrounds, ages, and languages. The conversations that flow inside our space bring our neighborhood closer together. At Word Up, you can meet new friends at any age, of any age!

A COMMITMENT TO YOUTH
Children make up nearly 25% of the population in Northern Manhattan, so recruits from area schools make up a substantial portion of our volunteer collective. As funding for arts and after-school programs is continually inadequate, community-supported youth programs—like Word Up’s teen writing and spoken-word poetry program developed in collaboration with Word@4F—are especially vital. Hundreds of young people from the area have brought a book home after a field trip to our store.

LOCAL AUTHORS, MUSICIANS, ARTISTS, & MORE
Sure, we have featured some internationally renowned artists on our homemade stage, but it’s  the local artists who jam-pack Word Up’s programming and reflect our diverse neighborhood’s creative spirit. Neighbors from almost every discipline—writing, acting, composing, performing, reciting, painting, drawing, filmmaking, and more—have contributed to the Word Up story.

FOR THE COMMUNITY, BY THE COMMUNITY
Maybe you’ve heard us say it a thousand times over the past 5 years, but it’s true! The people who create, shape, build, and grow Word Up are community members like YOU. Without your support, the open, safe, literacy-focused, creative, community space that we’ve built together could not exist.

 

As we are a program of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Seven Stories Institute, your donation will be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Read more about us at our main site: www.wordupbooks.com.

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