Books Before Barriers is a youth-led nonprofit on a mission to make books more accessible to underserved communities, one story at a time.
Founded by Arunav Paul and Kriti Bajpai, these two high schoolers always had a strong passion for volunteering. They began this non-profit so that children would not only receive the supplies that they need, but also that middle school and high schoolers would have the opportunity to support their community. Supported by Board Members Divyam Das and Shaurya Thakkar, our team believes that no child should be denied the chance to experience the power of a good book. Whether it’s building empathy, sparking imagination, or seeing yourself represented in a story — books can change lives.
We work through book drives, community partnerships, and curated distributions to bring high-quality, diverse books to the hands of kids who need them most.
Our Director of Development, Esha Srivastava, leads our outreach and fundraising efforts, helping grow our impact and connect with supporters who believe in the power of literacy to break down barriers.
Thank you for joining us in building a world where every child can turn the page — and see possibility.