Many people pass by opportunities to make a real change in their community. However, when seniors Faith Banossian and Emmanuel Baptiste noticed decreasing literacy rates in their community, they took it upon themselves to try and fix the problem.
“We recognized a need in our community and…personally noticed a loss of interest in reading, both the beauty and learning aspect of it,” states Baptiste.
And so they formed the Youth Literacy Project, an organization that works to close the reading gap and empower kids in our community. Their foundation partnered with PPCHS’s National English Honor Society (NEHS) and the Youth Action Fund to hold a book drive and book wrapping event at C. B. Smith Park.
On Dec. 27, 2025, around 27 people attended this holiday wrapping party, with cookies and different raffles to enter to win Barnes & Noble gift cards.
“It was a lot of fun doing Christmas wrapping for kids not fortunate enough. I had such a good time with all who attended and made me feel like I was making a difference,” mentions senior Julia Cortes.
Each book gift included a heartfelt note from the one who wrapped it, sharing messages of Christmas cheer and words of encouragement. The books are currently being sent to Pembroke Pines Charter East Elementary School, to families the school deemed less financially fortunate. The plan, according to Baptiste, is to deliver the 60 books they wrapped on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
“The plan was to connect the Youth Literacy Project to our school and help enact a more direct change. I’d say this project helped put us on the right path to reach our goal,” comments Baptiste.
