More than 1 million households in Chicagoland struggle to access books. That means countless children, families, seniors, and new readers miss out on the joy, confidence, and connection that come from having meaningful stories at home.

At Our Future Reads, we believe reading isn’t a luxury, it’s the foundation.
A spark.
A lifeline.
A chance to feel seen and inspired.

What We Do

We connect people of all ages with books chosen just for them.
To date, we’ve provided over 12,000 individuals with stories that match their interests, languages, and reading levels.

Our work supports:

Families in shelters
Seniors facing isolation
New moms building early literacy
Kids in clinics and hospitals
Immigrant families learning English
Classrooms and youth programs
Anyone who needs books to spark curiosity and confidence

Every book we give is placed intentionally, one person, one story, one moment at a time.

Why It Matters

Sometimes a book is more than a book.
It’s a reminder that someone cares.
It’s a tool for learning.
It’s a moment of joy in a challenging week.
It’s the spark that helps someone imagine a bigger world.

This year, we saw that spark in a little boy who came searching for a leprechaun book. We found the exact one he hoped for, and the look on his face said everything:
stories matter.

Join Our Mission

Your support helps us put more books into the hands of people who need them most, creating inspiration, connection, and possibility across our community.

Thank you for helping us share the power of reading.
Let the curious be curious.

Help Us Put Hand-Selected Books Into Homes That Need Them