Books Bridge Hope
Books Bridge Hope was founded by Lillie Leonardi in 2017 to promote reading, writing and literacy throughout the Greater Pittsburgh region. Lillie is a traditionally and independently published author with Hay House, former law enforcement professional that served with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and 9/11 Responder to the Flight 93 crash site.
In 2021, Books Bridge Hope collaborated with partnering organizations, to develop the “Box of Goodness” project. In partnership with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Community Engagement Office, boxes of supplies are distributed by police officers during routine patrol. A box contains: books, journals, writing supplies, non-perishable food items, gloves, hats, socks and toiletries.
Boxes of Goodness are also supplied to partnering non-profit organizations to distribute to respective populations served.
Community Collaborators:
- Alle-Kiski HOPE Center
- Barnes & Noble
- Center for Women's Entrepreneurship, Chatham College
- Color the World Violet
- Cribs for Kids
- INDIE Authors
- NK Arts Center
- The Mentoring Partnership of SW PA
- The Salvation Army New Kensington
- Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
- Valley Jr Sr Vikings Football Boosters
- Westmoreland Community Action
- WQED Education
The “Box of Goodness” project continues to expand into underserved child and youth populations, and partner with additional organizations to provide essential resources and develop new projects.
Example collaborations include:Pittsburgh Mercy Operation Safety Net: This initiative provided opportunities to distribute books, magazines and writing supplies via pop-up libraries at the Wellspring Drop-In Center (Pittsburgh, PA).
The Books Bridge Hope organization is directed by a compassionate group of professional women.
- Lillie Leonardi, Executive Director, Founder, Author & Retired Law Enforcement
- Gina Masciola, Vice President, Managing Director, WQED Education
- Anne Flynn Schlicht, Treasurer, Director, Center of Women's Entrepreneurship, Chatham University
- Jada Powell Black, Master's Student, Psychology, Duquesne University
- Tiffany Kline-Costa, Sergeant, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Community Engagement Office
- Colleen Fedor, Executive Director, The Mentoring Partnership of SW PA
- Bridget Gaussa, Vice President of Program Development, Cribs for Kids
- Dr. Viola Agostino Valletta, Chiropractor
- Lois Vitti, Attorney at Law, Vitti Law Group
- Cheryl Peck Yakopec, District Justice, Court 10-1-04 MDJ
