Hi! I’m Nora Fried, the founder and host of Rosebuds Reading Collective, a monthly book club for people incarcerated at Rikers Island in New York City.

What began in February 2025 in the women’s ward with just six participants has grown into a vibrant collective of nearly 60 people across multiple units. Each month, we come together to read, reflect, and connect. The feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, as the club offers a powerful sense of escape, purpose, and community in an otherwise isolating environment.

Thanks to this incredible feedback and growing demand, Rosebuds is now expanding into the men’s ward, where we’re launching bilingual meetings with books in both English and Spanish. We’re also laying the groundwork to bring Rosebuds to more jails and prisons across New York State.

This fundraiser is ongoing, and your donations go directly toward:

-Purchasing books in English and Spanish for current and future members

-Supporting author visits and monthly programming

-Covering transportation and admin costs for coordination

-Expanding to new facilities and launching bilingual men’s programming

-Developing grant materials and building Rosebuds into a full nonprofit organization

Whether you’re donating $5 or $500, your support helps keep this collective alive and flourishing. Thank you for believing in the power of books, dignity, and connection.