From the beginning, seeded by inspiration and the desire to empower youth to transform themselves and their communities, Building with Books has been about changing the world. And we are doing so, with results as impressive as the passion that drives the students who have dedicated themselves to BwB’s mission.

Lives Changed

Building with Books programs have already impacted generations of people and are also impacting thousands of people around the world every day.

• Runs 130 U.S. after-school programs (2008-09 school year)
• Operates in six U.S. regions: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania
• In the most recent school year, BwB students contributed more than 100,000 hours of service to their communities, touching the lives of more than 223,000 elders, young children, and people who are homeless and disabled
• 97% of the U.S. high school students BwB has worked with over the past six years have gone on to college
• Has built 286 schools in developing countries
• Currently builds schools in six countries: Haiti, Malawi, Mali, Nepal, Nicaragua and Senegal
• Has also built schools in Bolivia, Brazil and India
• More than 30,000 children attend BwB schools every day
• More than 110,000 children and adults have attended BwB schools world-wide
• Since 1992, villagers have contributed more than 569,000 volunteer workdays to build schools in their communities

Inception

In 1990, while backpacking around the world, Jim Ziolkowski came upon a mountain village in Nepal in the midst of a joyous celebration for the opening of a new school. Though he’d only stopped for a cup of tea, Jim lingered long enough to be impressed by the outpouring of hope and pride so evident among the villagers. The jubilation he witnessed stayed with him.

Later, while working with GE Capital in Stamford, Connecticut, Jim couldn’t get that celebration out of his head. So in 1992 he left GE Capital and put his inspiration into action. Along with his brother Dave, Jim began devoting his efforts to BwB. His vision was to create a program that would encourage American youth to change their lives and their communities while aiding people in developing countries to break the cycle of illiteracy, poverty and low expectations that grips so much of the world.

Drawing upon the ardor for education that he’d witnessed in Nepal, Jim headed to Brazil with his brother Dave and friend Erik Dorf to build the first school. During the construction of the first three schools, they developed BwB’s unique methodology to engage communities in the building of schools. Upon returning to the U.S., Jim focused his efforts on engaging U.S. students through after-school programs which empower them locally and connect them with the international school building projects.  

Through the support of many inspiring and hard-working volunteers, countless challenges were overcome. BwB was incorporated in 1991, and since then Jim has been President and CEO. Marc Friedman was an early volunteer and strong supporter. He joined BwB full time in 1997 and is now Chief Operating Officer. 

Milestones

Sixteen years after breaking ground on its first school, BwB is more vital than ever, with many milestones along the way:

• 1992: First U.S.-based BwB after-school program launched at Jim’s high school alma mater in Jackson, Michigan
• 2001: 50th BwB school, built in Nicaragua
• 2003: 50th U.S.-based program, launched at Marble Hill High School in New York City
• 2004: 100th BwB school, built in Mali
• 2006: 150th BwB school, built in Mali
• 2007: 100th U.S.-based program, launched at Clemente High School in Chicago, Illinois
• 2007: 200th BwB school, built in Nicaragua
• 2008: 250 BwB schools up and running around the world; 130 after-school programs throughout the U.S.   

"It is imperative that we engage exponentially more youth in this life-changing work. One day we hope to live in a world with empowered youth, strong communities and access to education for all." - Jim Ziolkowski