Manchester author works to educate children while also helping people experiencing homelessness

A Manchester resident who found peace and purpose during the pandemic by fulfilling her dream of becoming a children’s book author now is working for the second year in a row to make a difference in the world for children and individuals who are experiencing homelessness.

Brittney Traudt wrote her first book at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She released “Shelly Goes to Summer Camp,” in December 2020.

The free time she found during the pandemic gave her a push toward writing, she said.

“I’ve always felt that writing was my outlet and way to express myself and my feelings, to let go of whatever I was going through at the moment … and I’ve always felt like that’s been who I am,” she said,

In 2015, for example, she created a blog in college called “Traudt’s Two Cents,” where she started writing about lifestyle topics, such as how to grocery shop and taking her first trip to Washington, D.C. on her own, which she credits to people beginning to view her as a writer.

“The way that I had written that first blog just resonated with people and showcased a talent that maybe a lot of people didn’t realize that I had. So then, I started blogging all of my trips. Now anytime that I take a trip, I blog every day…I also do other things,” she said. “I tend to find different topics, like [when] I blogged. When I wrote my blog, sometimes I’ll touch upon political topics that are important, just in society…”

However, in 2020, while Traudt was thinking about writing a book, she was unsure about what to write about. That all changed when she crossed paths with another author, who had started her own program teaching people how to publish their own book.

“I took it as a sign,” she said. “There’s no way that’s a coincidence. And then in contemplating what I wanted to write about, I just felt like that was something important.”

Traudt said that her first book has birthed a children’s travel series of the adventures of the characters Shelley and Coco. She said the books recount the adventures of Shelley and Coco, with the first one introducing the characters and how they met when Shelly goes to sleepaway summer camp and is nervous until she meets Coco, a parrot who got separated from his family and the two become best friends and have a great time at summer.

Her next book, “Shelley Goes To The Capitol,” follows the pair as they travel to Washington, D.C. to the sightseeing monuments and learn about some history, while having a good time.

Traudt said her goal for the Shelley and Coco series is to make the books fun, adventurous, and educational. She said she wants to put her own twist on learning, where readers are not even realizing that they are learning important knowledge she hopes they retain.

In addition to working to educate children through her books, Traudt has partnered with Community Renewal Team CT for her 2nd annual Homeless Care Package Project.

While in college as a Florida Gulf Coast University student, she dedicated herself to working with shelters and other organizations that help those experiencing homelessness. After graduating, she moved to Connecticut and while walking through the aisles of a dollar store, she saw face and body wipes on the shelf, and this was the moment where she said that everything clicked for her on what people might need.

For the first year, she decided to create care packages to give out to individuals who were experiencing homelessness in the state. She was able to raise almost $1,500, make 48 backpacks, and support two additional charities.

CRT Development and Marketing Director Ilana Bernstein said that the organization loves their partnership with Traudt, and are happy to be on board for a second year.

Bernstein said while Traudt gave bags to people experiencing homelessness on the streets last year, she also went to the CRT East Hartford Family Shelter and gave them at least 40 bags.

“It was awesome. And she wanted to be able to give all the bags to the shelter this year, but have their kind of partnership in making sure that the items were the best items to put into [the bags]. So, she reached out to us a couple of months ago, and we started working with her,” Bernstein said.

Bernstein said that the shelter has a high percentage of children, so she is open to having some of Traudt’s books for them to read. She also said that Traudt went on a tour with one of her colleagues to see the inner workings of the shelter, including where individuals dwell.

About the impact Traudt’s project with CRT CT will have for individuals receiving the bags, Bernstein said anyone who gives an item, rather than a financial contribution, is helping a life just as much, because that person does not have to spend money on a basic need.

“So you give them, for example, a sweater or a sweatshirt with a hoodie, which is I think one of the items she’s trying to put in the bag or something similar, that mom doesn’t need to buy one for their kid,” she said. “So, it’s basically money to the person who is struggling and financially distressed. One less thing they need to buy means that they could buy groceries or when they get into their own housing, they have money to pay for the heating bill. It all adds up and every little bit is helpful.”

She also said that people who are considering donating gift cards to CRT CT, the amounts for $5 to $10 are incredibly useful for individuals in shelters.

“Let’s say a baby has a fever and you need some Tylenol, having a gift card will allow you to go down the street to pharmacies within walking distance…So, having those little [amounts] are just so useful to have around to be able to hand to the client,” she said.

Traudt is preparing to release her third book in the series, where the pals will travel to Massachusetts to help Shelley study for a test involving the state’s history and important events.

Traudt also has a standalone children’s book out called “It’s Okay To Be You,” which she says is a book intended to empower people to be the best version of themselves, despite what society might tell them.

“A lot of times in society, we have gender roles, gender stereotypes, or societal norms that in today’s day and age, maybe we have realized aren’t necessarily true or factual 100% of the time. So, exploring that and breaking down their gender norms,” she said.

To follow and/or donate to Traudt’s Homeless Care Package Project, visit https://linktr.ee/btraudt. To donate to CRT CT visit https://www.crtct.org/get-involved/donate-now/donate/