​Thanks to the Carney’s Kids Foundation for creating this video in 2021

​IN MEMORY OF BFN FOUNDER

​RICHARD NIX, SR. 

​Founded by Richard Nix, Sr., Books for Newborns began in late 2016 with one man’s vision to give children born into poverty a chance to succeed.

He knew the power of books and reading could help set the course for success and believed that books were the perfect reminder in a hectic day to slow down and bond with your baby.

He knew someone had to step up and get things started.  So he did.

Richard was recognized for his leadership and vision in 2019 when Mayor Lyda Krewson declared October 13th Richard L. Nix, Sr. Day in the City of St. Louis.  Director of Public Safety and BFN Advisory Board member Jimmie Edwards did the honors.

Richard died in early September 2021, but his work continues through others he enlisted to pursue his dream.

​We are a 100% volunteer non-profit organization that partners with five St. Louis area hospitals and a dozen local social service agencies to provide books and other reading materials to low-income mothers.

​The original Books for Newborns program gives new mothers a book bag containing five age-appropriate books and a Mother’s Day reading instruction card to serve as a reminder to bond through reading.

The Older Siblings program provides a book bag with three age-appropriate books to these newborns’ older siblings and to other older children receiving outpatient therapy or in the hospitals due to accident or sickness.

​OUR MISSION

​Create pathways to successful futures by sparking reading and bonding at birth.

​OUR VISION

​Provide a bookbag to every lower-income mother in St. Louis at the time of her child’s birth to create a norm of reading and bonding throughout the child’s infancy & adolescent years.

​​BOARD

Jerry Amsler - Operations
Richard L Nix (jr) - Vice Chairman
Ann Corrigan - Secretary
Jeff Zornes - Treasurer
Patrice Shumate - Development
Julius Anthony - Early Literacy Expert
Jim Sheets
​Benjamin Olshin
Meredith Friedman
Eileen Dryer
Stephanie Dobson
Cara Spencer
Colleen Hogan
Mary Hogan
​
In Memoriam: Richard Nix, Sr. (Founder)
Mike Hogan (Chairman 2019-2023)

Join Us!

If you would like to be part of the Books for Newborns Board of Directors, contact us and let us know!​

​THE GOALS OF BOOKS FOR NEWBORNS

• ​Encourage early reading to families who need it most.
• Get age-appropriate books into homes of low-income families.
• Show moms the value of reading to and bonding with their babies.
• Help build the base that enables economically-challenged children to succeed in school and in life by being able to read confidently at a 3rd grade level by the 3rd grade.

​There isn’t one cause of poor literacy among lower-income children. Lack of early access to books is one of the biggest obstacles to equalizing children’s literacy.