11/07/2024
Hello, all you beautiful people!
It's been a long while, but I'm thrilled to share that we've found a beautiful person to lead our humble library into the future, Emily Beau, and we want you to meet her this Saturday morning! I can think of no better way to respond to recent events than this, and hope you'll join us for some bagels, banter, and bonding so we may re-boot the Human Library of the Fox Valley.
Never have our efforts been more needed. "Every human book from our bookshelf represents a group in our society that often is subjected to prejudice, stigmatization or discrimination because of their lifestyle, diagnosis, belief, disability, social status, ethnic origin, etc." Know someone who might make a great 'book,' librarian, or ally to our cause? Share this post and link https://humanlibrary.org/, and encourage them to join us Saturday morning at 10 am.
The following is a letter of introduction from Emily, who is kindly hosting our gathering at her business, the Zen Loft Wellness Center in downtown Aurora, a women-owned business collective of wellness professionals. The Aurora location (the other is in downtown Batavia) is located on the SW corner of Downer and Stolp, on the 2nd floor of the red brick building with the icicle lights in the white bay windows up above. The entrance is on Downer under a blue, half-moon awning in a brick alcove with her logo above the door.
I've missed you and cannot wait to reconnect!
Fondly,
Jen
********
Greetings!
I am very excited to be part of the Human Library of Fox Valley! My name is Emily “Sunshine” Beaupre. I was so intrigued by the whole idea of the Human Library and inspired by the story that started it all. I feel that this is what we need in the world. We need to be able to tell our stories freely without fear that someone will tell us we are wrong.
I love people. I find that they are fascinating in thought and deed. I feel that as children, we have an innate ability and desire to connect with each other, no matter how different we are. As we age, that ability seems to dissipate because our shared experiences tend to diverge. I genuinely feel that storytelling is our greatest gift, and a tool that we can use to unite all people. That and music and dancing, but perhaps that is a story for another day.
A little about me…
By trade, I have a full-time job as a self-employed licensed massage therapist. I own two wellness centers in the Fox Valley area that are dedicated to giving wellness entrepreneurs and the community a place to support each other. I am the resident massage therapist for the three Broadway theaters in downtown Aurora. I love doing chair massage at festivals and events, as well as my hot stone deep tissue sessions during my weekdays.
My past work experience includes being a one-on-one aide for children with autism, a head directress at Montessori schools, and a substitute teacher. I’m K-6 Elementary Certified Teacher in PA, and hold a BA in English Lit. and minor in Gender & Women’s Studies with a MA in Liberal Studies from North Central College.
Enough about me… I want to know about YOUR Book Title. What would you like for people to know about your lived experience? What kinds of Book Titles would you like to “read” more about?
To those who’ve served or would like to serve in ‘Librarian’ capacities during Human Library events, what updates would you like to see implemented?
How can we grow so that we’re more mindful of our Readers’ and Books’ needs?
I am here to facilitate and serve. I am new to this structure, so I will need some gentle and kind guidance. I’ve come to sit at your feet as you tell me a beautiful story of what you’d like to see the Human Library become in the Fox Valley area.
Thank you for listening, and I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you.
Sincerely,
Sunshine
Send a message to learn more
