Programs Coordinator Devon Stein spoke with Jo Umans of Behind the Book, a member organization of Nonprofit New York. We will continue to highlight the work of our members because we believe when your nonprofit is stronger, all of us are stronger.
Tell me about the organization and what you do.
Behind the Book is an NYC-based literacy organization working in Title l Schools with PreK - 12th-grade classes. The organization’s mission is to develop engaged readers and writers in underserved NYC public schools by designing and delivering programs that are multi-disciplinary, culturally responsive, and promote deeper connections to books and their authors.
How many people are on your team?
13 now, soon to be 16
Servicing how many of the nonprofit population?
2,000
Where do you see your organization in the next five years or ten years?
Behind the Books is about to grow considerably in NYC with the goal of serving double the students we serve now.
How has partnering with Nonprofit New York helped you succeed?
The newsletter has always either given us ideas of things we should be doing or helps us to figure out the questions we should be asking of ourselves, vendors, and our board.
What are you currently working on that you want us to mention to our membership?
Behind the Book held a Book Bash (summer book giveaway) in Washington Heights over the summer. We gave out 3,000 books to kids who don't have them. The organization is looking for corporate and individual sponsors.