The Profound Impact of Books
One of the most visited Shoppes at LifeTown is the bustling [words] Bookstore. In 2009, the original [words] Bookstore was founded by Ellen and Jonah Zimiles in Maplewood, NJ. Since the very beginning, the store’s mission has included literary access for those with special needs. Over the years, [words] Bookstore has also hired more than 100 people with autism as part of its vocational training program. Naturally, when LifeTown was conceived, the Zimiles family was eager to help. As the parents of a son with special needs, they knew how crucial accessible programming was to the community.
“Our son Daniel has been a part of the Friendship Circle for about 20 years,” said Jonah Zimiles. “When the Grossbaums asked us to participate in building LifeTown in Livingston, we immediately and enthusiastically agreed to be part of it. We were honored to be among the first contributors to LifeTown.”
Today, the LifeTown Shoppes are visited annually by over 12,000 students from throughout the state of New Jersey and beyond. Students from special education programs come to LifeTown to practice important life skills in a safe, supportive and realistic setting. At the beginning of each visit, students go to the LifeTown bank and withdraw $12 to spend throughout the Shoppes. Each store provides hands-on opportunities to practice everyday skills, including budgeting, making purchases, communicating with shopkeepers, and making independent choices.
At the [words] Bookstore, students can browse the shelves, select a book, purchase it for $1, and take it home with them. Children are greeted by an enthusiastic volunteer, eager to place the perfect story in a reader’s hands.
“Books and reading are such an essential part of Judaism as well as our local community,” said Zimiles. “We wanted to share access to our Maplewood bookstore with LifeTown visitors and to share our story of providing vocational opportunities to individuals with profound autism in the hopes of inspiring others to do so.”
LifeTown receives donations of children’s books from individuals and companies throughout the year. These contributions keep the bookstore stocked and make it possible for each visiting student to choose and take home a book.
Intern Siena Jacobs, a graduating senior at West Essex High School, was deeply inspired by the impact of reading on LifeTown’s participants. During her spring internship at Friendship Circle, she helmed an exciting donation project by reaching out to various publishers and book distributors in an effort to grow the collection at the [words] Bookstore at LifeTown.
“My internship project has been great. It’s been very busy,” said Jacobs. “I have loved helping the kids and working with everyone. This internship gave me a new perspective and incredible work experience. I’ve loved it here.”
Jacobs successfully secured 1,000 books from companies like Penguin Random House, Book Smiles, and Barnes & Noble. Her efforts replenished the bookstore’s stock and ensured that plenty of books would be available for students during upcoming school visits.
Reading is the foundation of early childhood development, and providing access to books is a vital part of the learning and growth fostered at the LifeTown Shoppes.
“We are thrilled that 1,000 new, well-regarded books were donated to LifeTown so that visitors can select and take home a book,” said Zimiles. “Books and reading are essential to the development of all children. It is such a joy for us to watch children of all abilities treasure books.”
Individuals and companies interested in helping to keep the [words] Bookstore stocked can donate new and gently used children’s books by contacting LifeTown at info@LifeTown.com.
