Books Before Balls Foundation was born from our shared experiences of navigating education while facing instability and personal challenges. As students, we struggled to succeed in school while frequently moving, which disrupted our education and made it difficult to build consistent relationships with teachers or receive the academic support we needed. Along with this instability, we experienced trauma that deeply affected our ability to focus, feel safe in learning environments, and believe in our own academic potential. Like many students, our challenges were often misunderstood or overlooked, rather than addressed with compassion and the appropriate support.

Through these experiences, we learned firsthand how easily students can fall through the cracks when schools lack the resources, time, or systems to recognize learning differences and trauma-related barriers. We also saw how overwhelming it can be for families to navigate educational systems without guidance, especially when advocating for services like IEPs or 504 plans. These challenges became the foundation for our deep commitment to educational equity.

Books Before Balls Foundation exists because no child should feel invisible, unsupported, or unworthy of success due to circumstances beyond their control. Our work is a reflection of what we needed as children—stability, advocacy, and someone willing to fight for our education. Through tutoring, advocacy, and family support, the foundation is our way of turning adversity into purposeful action, ensuring that every student receives the tools, resources, and encouragement they need to thrive academically and beyond.