Hi, I’m Nora Fried, founder of Rosebuds Reading Collective, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a monthly book club inside Rikers Jail for incarcerated women in New York City.

Founded in February 2025, Rosebuds currently serves 15–20 women each month, and participation continues to grow. We meet regularly inside the jail to read together, discuss books, and build connection through shared conversation and creative writing.

As interest in the program has grown, so have the costs. Every participant receives their own copy of the book, and all materials are funded entirely through donations.

Rosebuds has also hosted New York Times bestselling authors who have come to Rikers to speak directly with the women, including Julia Fox, author of Down the Drain, and Tara Westover, author of Educated. These visits are a powerful part of the program, and we aim to continue bringing more authors inside to connect with participants.

Donations support the ongoing, monthly costs of the program, including:

-Books for participants (approximately $350–$450+ per month, increasing as participation grows)

-Author visits and book club programming

-Transportation and basic administrative coordination

We partner with Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn, where we purchase the majority of our books to support a local, independent bookstore.

This GoFundMe is ongoing. Much of the funding raised so far has already been used to purchase books for past and current sessions, and continued support is essential to keep the program running and growing.

All donations are tax-deductible. If you would like a receipt, are interested in sponsorship, or wish to make a larger contribution, please reach out via email:

norafried @ g mail . com

Thank you for supporting access to books, conversation, and community for incarcerated women at Rikers Jail.