At New Concepts for Living (NCFL), exciting changes are underway as we prepare to open our very own library! This space will soon be filled with books, puzzles, games, and opportunities for discovery and relaxation. Spearheading this project is none other than Kim Catalfamo, mother of Joey, one of our beloved Day Program participants. Since her retirement, Kim has been the driving force behind this initiative, dedicating her time, energy, and personal resources to bring this vision to life.
In a recent conversation, Kim shared how the idea came about: “With my retirement, I asked Trish (Day Program Director), if there was a project I could help with. I noticed the library was empty and thought, ‘Why not?’ So, I just asked, ‘Would you mind if I put it together?’ She agreed, and here we are – over 3,000 books later!” What began as a simple question has blossomed into a full-scale project, with Kim leading the charge to create something special for the NCFL family.
Kim has organized many book drives, collecting donations from a variety of sources, including her physical therapy office, local Elks lodges, and neighbors. “I put out bins at places like the Nutley Elks Lodge and even outside my front door,” she explained. “People were so generous, and the books just kept coming in.” Contributions have also come from NCFL staff, local libraries, including the Nutley and Glen Ridge libraries. Even Joey’s comic book collection has found a home in the new library. “Joey donated all his comics,” Kim said proudly, “and we’ve even got puzzles and games that he and our family donated.”
The library will offer a wide range of categories, from fiction, history, and fantasy to more specific sections like comic books and graphic novels. “We’ve got everything – story books, history, arts and crafts, cooking, mysteries, horror and thrillers, even triple sets of *Harry Potter*,” Kim shared enthusiastically. The space will also include books in Spanish, audiobooks on CD and cassette, and a collection of DVDs for everyone to enjoy.
But it’s not just about books. The library will also have a cozy lounge area where Day Program participants can relax, read, work on puzzles, or watch movies. The goals is to create a space where they can really unwind. “We’ll have beanbag chairs, a table for puzzles, and even portable DVD players for those who want to enjoy audiobooks or DVDs.” Kim said.
For Kim, this project is more than just a retirement hobby; it’s a way to give back. “It’s good therapy for me, and it’s relaxing,” she admitted. “But more than that, it’s my way of giving back to NCFL for everything they do for my son and all the other clients. I’m happy to do it because I see how excited they are about it. They keep peeking in to see how it’s coming along, and I even gave Joey’s class gift cards and they picked out books for the library on one of their trips to Barnes & Noble.”
Kim’s dedication shines through in every aspect of the project, from the careful categorization of books and easy book checkout system to her thoughtful touches, like the library pockets and cards assigned to each book. “I’ve even collected fun, silly pens for them to use when checking out their books, because I know they’ll love them,” she said with a smile. She has also gone above and beyond by partnering with BookSmiles, an organization that donated and also allowed Kim to swap out duplicate or unwanted books for books more suited for NCFL’s library. “We drove two hours to pick up about 350 books,” Kim recalled, adding that this effort is just the beginning.
As the library nears completion, Kim’s enthusiasm is contagious. We are even getting more volunteers to help, like another NCFL resident’s mother, Jude Prunes. “I do this because they are so excited about it,” Kim said. “It’s really all for them.” The library is expected to be ready in just a few months, and it promises to be a wonderful new resource for NCFL’s participants – a place where they can explore, learn, and enjoy themselves.
We invite anyone who would like to volunteer or donate to this heartwarming project to contact us and join in the effort. Together, we can make this library a lasting gift for the NCFL community. Stay tuned for updates as we approach the grand opening, and a big thank you to Kim for her tireless dedication to making this dream a reality!
