LitSpark Youth is committed to empowering youth and families in the community by providing them with accessible literacy resources. We believe that literacy education supports long term success for youth, and we especially focus on donating to immigrant or underserved youth who may face certain barriers that prevent them from obtaining the same degree of language skills or education as others. Not only do we believe in cultivating a love for reading, but we also emphasize the importance of establishing a strong literacy foundation for kids to take with them for the rest of their lives.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Dr. Seuss
The following are some of the places we've connected with recently to donate books!
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
Dedicated to the best life for every child and youth, CHEO is a global leader in pediatric health care and research. LitSpark Youth is incredibly honoured to donate to such an important institution for the youth in our community, and we hope our books support their journeys in literacy.
Donation: 1500-2000 books (December 2025)
Cornerstone Housing for Women
Cornerstone Housing for Women is the largest women-only shelter and housing provider for women experiencing homelessness in Ottawa. Each year, more than 1,300 women experience homelessness in the city.
Donation: 80 Books (November 2025)
Books 2 Prisoners
Books To Prisoners is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster a love of reading behind bars, encourage the pursuit of knowledge and self-empowerment, and break the cycle of recidivism. LitSpark Youth helped support Books To Prisoners Ottawa through a book donation to inmates.
Donation: 70-80 books
Value Village Thrift Store
Value Village thrift stores serve the environment by inspiring a future where secondhand is second nature.
Donation: 250 books (November 2025)
The Salvation Army Thrift Store
The mission of The Salvation Army by generating funds through our retail and reuse solutions to positively impact our communities and planet.
Donation: 300 books (November 2025)
Twice Upon a Time
Twice Upon a Time gives new and nearly new books to children from birth to twelve years of age, to support literacy and foster a love of reading at home.
Donation: 130 books dropped off at Dymon Storage Downtown Ottawa (Nov 7, 2025)
Caldwell Family Center
An organization that helps alleviate poverty in the Ottawa region, Caldwell Family Center supports hundreds of families with marginalized kids needing additional resources.
Donation: 50-70 books (Sep 3, 2025)
Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO)
With over three locations across Ottawa, the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) directly serves about 10,000 immigrants and refugees every year. Donations from our organization have greatly assisted their immigrant youth programs, especially during summer camp season.
Donation: 200-250 books (June 2025)
Donation: 100 books (September 2025)
Donation: 350 books (November 2025)
The Door Youth Center
The Door Youth Center serves as a welcoming place where young people acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that help them realize their full potential and participate actively in their communities. LitSpark Youth’s donation will help support a newly implemented reading nook.
Donation: 50-70 books (Sep 3, 2025)
Operation Come Home
Operation Come Home serves as a center for homeless and at-risk youth aged 16-29, dedicated to providing employment, education, and support services. LitSpark Youth recognizes the importance of literacy in the greater objective of empowering homeless youth, supporting them with a book donation.
Donation: 70 books (Sep 3, 2025)
St. Joes Women’s Center
St. Joe’s Women’s Centre is a day program and registered charity committed to supporting all women and their children experiencing low income or homelessness. Women and children are some of the most vulnerable and at-risk populations.
Donation: 80 books (Sep 3, 2025)
Donation: 80 books (November, 2025)
