Most people know the New Mexico Literacy Project as the place to donate books. And that's accurate — I've processed over 500,000 pounds of them. But some of my most meaningful work happens outside the warehouse, at a senior living community on the east side of Albuquerque called La Vida Llena.
What started as a recycling pickup has grown into a partnership that touches three different causes: waste reduction, honoring residents' legacies, and getting material goods to homeless children and families.
Last verified May 2026 · Original research by Josh Eldred
Working with the Recycling Team
La Vida Llena is a nonprofit senior living community founded around 1979 by local churches. It's home to hundreds of residents across independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing. And like any community of that size, it generates a steady stream of books, paper, and magazines.
I work with La Vida Llena's recycling team to pick up materials that would otherwise go to the trash. Books, magazines, paper goods — the kind of things that pile up in common areas, libraries, and residents' apartments. Instead of the landfill, they come to my warehouse where they're sorted, evaluated, and put back into circulation.
It's simple work, but it matters. Every box I pick up is one less box in a dumpster.
Honoring Residents' Legacies
This is the part that means the most.
When a resident at La Vida Llena passes away, their belongings need to be handled. Families are grieving. Staff have rooms to turn over. And there are often valuable items — books, collectibles, household goods — that deserve better than a dumpster.
I step in to evaluate and resell those items. The things that have value get listed on our eBay store, where they find buyers who appreciate them. And 50% of the profits from those sales go directly to La Vida Llena's employee appreciation fund — supporting the caregivers and staff who served that resident every day.
It's a way to honor what someone collected and valued during their lifetime while honoring the people who cared for them.
Loading the Van: The APS Title I Homeless Project
There's a third piece to this partnership that most people don't see.
Every week, a van from the Albuquerque Public Schools Title I Homeless Project pulls up to La Vida Llena. The Title I Homeless Project is an APS program that supports homeless children and families across the district — providing clothing, blankets, school supplies, housewares, and other material goods that help students stay in school and families stay on their feet.
La Vida Llena donates clothing and housewares to the program. And every week, I help load the van. It's physical work — boxes, bags, furniture, whatever needs to go — and I'm happy to be the extra set of hands that makes it happen.
A retired teacher's winter coat ends up on a child who needed one. A set of dishes from a downsized apartment goes to a family rebuilding after homelessness. That's the kind of chain this partnership creates.
Why This Matters
I'm a for-profit business. I don't pretend otherwise. But being for-profit doesn't mean being indifferent to the community around you. The La Vida Llena partnership is proof that business and giving back aren't opposites — they can work together.
Books and recyclables stay out of the landfill. Residents' belongings find appreciative new owners. Caregivers get recognized. Homeless children and families get material goods they need. And I get to be useful beyond the four walls of my warehouse.
That's the version of this work I'm most proud of.
Facing a Similar Situation?
If your family, senior community, or organization is dealing with estate items, large book collections, or materials that need responsible handling, I can help. I work with families and communities during life transitions — sorting, reselling what has value, and making sure nothing useful goes to waste.
Call 702-496-4214 to talk about your situation. No pressure, no sales pitch — just a conversation about what you need.
Related Reading
Learn more about how I work with communities and families during transitions:
Related: La Vida Llena Retirement Community