Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alejandro Barriga. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alejandro, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Books For You Miami was founded in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — one of the most challenging and uncertain times for communities around the world. The idea was born from a personal experience of its founder, Alejandro Barriga, who was only 16 years old and a high school student at the time.
While confined at home, Alejandro noticed a neighbor throwing away a box of books. That moment deeply moved him. In a time when people were isolated and human connection was limited, seeing those discarded books represented lost stories, wasted knowledge, and missed opportunities for learning and connection.
Driven by empathy, Alejandro decided to rescue the books and sent messages to his community, thinking that perhaps someone might want to read during lockdown. To his surprise, the response was overwhelming — not only did people want the books, but they also began donating their own to share with others.
What started as a simple neighborhood gesture quickly evolved into a community movement, and soon after, into a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving books a second life.
To date, Books For You Miami has donated more than 400,000 books, both locally and internationally, impacting over 800,000 people around the world. Through this mission, the organization has created a sustainable literary recycling cycle, ensuring that each book continues to educate, inspire, and connect new readers over time.
We also built a network of more than 200 volunteers, many of them students, who are given the opportunity to serve their community, develop leadership skills, and be part of a movement that promotes literacy, sustainability, and compassion.
Our impact goes beyond books through our Backpack Donation Program, which provides children in need with backpacks and school supplies, allowing them to begin their academic year with dignity and excitement. This initiative has already benefited more than 5,000 children and young people.
From the beginning, we realized we were addressing a problem few others were solving — the large-scale waste of books that still hold immense value, and the limited access to reading materials in underserved communities. Our unique approach combined environmental sustainability, community engagement, and youth empowerment, creating a model that inspired both giving and responsibility.
What excites us most about this mission is witnessing how something as simple as sharing a book can transform lives. Reading connects people across cultures, ages, and borders, proving that empathy and education can spread from one hand to another.
What began with a single rescued box of books has grown into a global mission of generosity, education, and hope. Books For You Miami stands as proof that one small act of compassion can spark a movement capable of changing the world — one book at a time.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Alejandro Barriga, and I am the founder of Books For You Miami. From a young age, I have believed that books have the power to transform lives. However, I have also seen how access to books has become limited for many children and adolescents, and how modern times have gradually displaced the habit of reading. That is why my commitment is to cultivate a new generation of readers — young people who are better prepared and more aware, capable of seeing education as a tool for change and growth.
Books For You Miami was created with the mission of giving a second chance not only to books but also to people. Through the redistribution of books, educational materials, and backpacks, we strive to ensure that each resource reaches the right hands — those who need it most and can use it to build a better future.
To date, we have donated more than 400,000 books, impacting over 800,000 people worldwide, and we have created a model of sustainable recycling, where each book, backpack, or educational material is given more than one life. This cycle not only prevents waste but also multiplies learning opportunities across different communities.
In addition, Books For You Miami has built a network of more than 200 volunteers, mostly young people, who find in this initiative a way to serve, learn, and discover their capacity to create social impact.
What sets us apart is that we do more than distribute books: we deliver hope, knowledge, and opportunities. Our focus is on reaching communities where resources are scarce but the desire to learn is immense.
I am deeply proud to see how this project has become a bridge between generations, cultures, and dreams. Books For You Miami demonstrates that knowledge should not remain on a shelf; it should circulate, be shared, and transform lives — one page at a time.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alejandro Barriga, just 16 years old, found himself in a time of uncertainty and confinement. While at home, he noticed a neighbor throwing away books, and this simple act had a profound impact on him. Instead of feeling powerless in the face of a global crisis, he decided to take action: he rescued the books and began sharing them with members of his community, thinking they could be valuable to others during lockdown.
What seemed like a small gesture quickly became a bigger challenge: organizing collections, encouraging community donations, coordinating volunteers, and ensuring the books reached those who needed them most. Alejandro faced moments of doubt and logistical difficulties, but his determination and resilience allowed him to transform this project into a nonprofit organization: Books For You Miami.
Today, the organization has donated over 400,000 books, impacting more than 800,000 people worldwide, creating a sustainable recycling cycle, and fostering reading among children and young people in vulnerable communities. Alejandro’s resilience is evident in his ability to turn obstacles —pandemic isolation and limited resources— into opportunities for education, solidarity, and social change, showing that even a young person can generate a global impact.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that “a young person cannot make a significant impact in their community.” When I started Books For You Miami at 16, some people thought the project was too ambitious for someone my age. However, when I rescued books from the trash during the pandemic and saw the community begin donating their own, I realized that impact doesn’t depend on age — it depends on determination, vision, and consistent action.
I learned that many of the barriers society places on youth are often self-imposed. Today, Books For You Miami has donated over 400,000 books, impacting more than 800,000 people worldwide, proving that young people can lead global projects with purpose and resilience. This experience taught me that the true ability to change lives has no age limit, and that even small ideas can become powerful movements when pursued with passion and consistency.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.booksforyoumiami.org
- Instagram: @bfymiami
- Facebook: Books For You Miami
- Linkedin: Books For You Miami
- Twitter: BooksForYouMiami
