First Book and AFT Equip Highest-need Schools in Puerto Rico With Basic Needs Closets

Posted in: Press Room

Organizations partner to deliver essential resources to support students’ basic needs as part of ongoing disaster relief WASHINGTON and SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (May 11, 2018) – This week, First Book, the nonprofit social enterprise focused on equal access to quality education, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) are... Read more

The Number One Barrier to Learning: Basic Needs

Posted in: First Book Research & Insights

Seeing a child coming to school every day and not having what they need… it’s heartbreaking. A lot of the kids didn’t realize what they didn’t have cause they were so used to not having. When I decided to become an educator, I knew that that was one of the... Read more

Powerful Partnerships Provide Books & More For Florida Kids

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Our Partners

Like many First Book stories, this one begins with a successful partnership. A partnership that, for many years, has helped First Book raise the bar for kids in need with new, quality books both at school and at home. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and First Book have the... Read more

Reclaiming the Promise of Public Education

Posted in: Focus on First Book

Today’s guest blog post is by Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, on the importance of ensuring all educators and students have the books they need for back to school.  As an educator, there’s nothing quite like walking into the classroom on that first day of school…... Read more

15,000 New Books on the National Mall, Plus Celebrities, Cabinet Secretaries and Cute Kids

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

On Saturday, volunteers from across the country joined First Book on the National Mall in Washington DC to celebrate President Obama’s National Day of Service by providing 15,000 brand-new books to DC-area children from low-income families. Click here to see photos of the event, including pictures of volunteers, political leaders,... Read more

First Book and AFT Bring a Truckload of Books to Hurricane Sandy Victims

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

Last night, four First Book employees, with help from American Federation of Teachers’ volunteers, ventured to a small alley in the financial district of New York City to unload, label and sort 30,000 children’s books for victims of Hurricane Sandy. The American Federation of Teachers and their local New York... Read more

Teachers Join Forces With First Book: Weingarten Challenges AFT Members to Give Five Million Books to Kids in Need

Posted in: Focus on First Book

This is our new challenge. Today I am calling on AFT members to partner with First Book to distribute five million new books this year to students in need. — Randi Weingarten, AFT president First Book was in Detroit over the weekend, attending the annual convention of the American Federation... Read more