Everyday hero: Candace just wanted to start a book club for the homeless—yet she ended up transforming lives!
When Candace Vance saw a news report about a man who started a book club for the homeless, she was inspired to start one at her own local library, and it ended up transforming lives— including hers!
Candace Vance switched on the TV news one November morning, wanting to check the weather before her morning run. She was doing some warm-up stretches, listening for the temperature, when a story came on about a man in Boston who’d started a book club for the homeless at his local library.
How touching, Candace thought. And as the report unfolded, she became more and more engrossed— and inspired. I love to read, and I want to help people… maybe I could start something like this here?
Excited, Candace called her Charlotte, North Carolina, Mecklenburg library. “What do you think?” she asked, sharing her idea with the director.
To her surprise, the director agreed on the spot, offering her a room to host the meetings on Tuesday mornings.
Candace got busy creating flyers, hanging them up at local shelters and handing them out at the library, announcing the “Turning Pages” book club. Come join us on Tuesday mornings for a free book, refreshments, lively conversation and great people! the invitation read.
At the first meeting, 10 people showed up, and to Candace’s joy, as they drank coffee and nibbled on snacks, they truly seemed to enjoy reading and discussing their first book, Chicken Soup for the Soul. More people came the next week, their faces lighting up as they shared their opinions about characters and plot.
“You gave me my dignity back today,” one book club member told Candace. “I haven’t felt so touched by something someone has done for me in a long time.” Shared another, “There’s no judgment, no fear. I’m so grateful.”
This is really helping people, Candace thought, tears welling in her eyes as she realized she wasn’t just giving these folks a place to go and something to do— she was giving them a voice, love and respect.
Mysteries, romance, historical fiction…the books were as varied as the members in the group. And as the men and women shared their life experiences, Candace began to realize that it was no longer just a book club: This was a group of friends. Members and
volunteers also began helping one another find housing, jobs and ways to pay for medical expenses. They all even attended Candace’s wedding and threw her a baby shower at the library when they learned she was pregnant.
Today, nine years after the inception of Turning Pages, the group still meets every Tuesday morning— and is currently looking forward to reading a book called Moving On, written by one of the club’s longtime members! “Turning Pages means a lot to me,” says the proud new author, Christina Williams. “It takes my mind off of my troubles and has helped me grow.”
And Candace couldn’t be happier. “I wanted to create a group where people could connect,” she smiles. “It truly is a network of friends who care about one another. Everyone needs a friend, and in creating these friendships, I’ve realized that barriers can be broken and everyone is worthy of love!”