Dream a Little Dream

By Jo Massaro | Founder, Creative Visionary & Curator

We all have dreams—some vividly remembered, some quietly tucked away. But every once in a while, a dream takes root that isn’t just a passing thought in the night; it becomes a vision that refuses to leave.

In September 2020, a dream like that captured my heart: What if children’s authors could come together online to read their stories and inspire young readers everywhere? October was right around the corner—National Book Month—and the timing felt meant to be. I felt in my spirit that God had given me this idea, yet my insecurities immediately crept in. What if no one responds? What if I look inadequate? What if this falls completely flat?

Full of hesitation, I laid it before God: “Lord, if this is truly You, I’ll email my author friend, Michelle Medlock Adams, and ask what she thinks.” I was asking for a clear sign. All day long, I refreshed my inbox at record speed. Late that night, tucked in bed, I checked one last time—and there was her reply. With trembling hands, I opened it. Michelle wasn’t just supportive; she told me to go for it and offered to be one of the very first authors to take part!

With that green light, I stepped out in faith. I launched a Facebook page, trusting God to help me gather 31 authors—one for every single day of the month—who would record a story video and give away a copy of their book.

To my amazement, email after email came pouring in. Authors not only said yes, but they recommended other authors. The entire month filled up rapidly. I was overwhelmed with gratitude seeing how God turned a hesitant prayer into an abundance of joy. For two consecutive years, authors flooded our community with stories, and as they did, a deeper stirring grew in my heart: We need to do more.

That small seed grew into the vision for In Their Hands, Inc.—a nonprofit dedicated to childhood literacy and empowering families to discover the life-changing wonder of books.

Serving others through a nonprofit wasn’t entirely new to my family. Back in 1992, in Upstate New York, my husband and I founded a nonprofit organization serving individuals and families impacted by HIV/AIDS. That meaningful chapter came to a sudden close in 2007 following a severe car accident that left me with a traumatic brain injury. But God wasn’t finished with our story—and in 2012, He brought miraculous healing to my life.

We officially incorporated In Their Hands in 2021. Since then, we have navigated the legal groundwork, assembled an advisory board, and pieced together all the gears and bolts of this mission. And believe me—there are a lot of nuts and bolts!

This website and this mission have been a dream in the making for years. Today, we are continually expanding our programs, sensory literacy tools, and hands-on ways to make reading joyful and accessible for children and adults alike.

Thank you so much for stopping by, reading our story, and sharing our heart for literacy. We invite you to dream alongside us as we place stories into the hands that need them most.

Warmly,

Jo Massaro