I would like to share a program with you which began in (AUSTIN, Texas) . The Women’s Storybook Project, a nonprofit based in Austin which serves children across the whole state of Texas, will hold its 4th annual fundraising luncheon via Youtube Live on September 30.
Hosted by Joy Diaz from NPR’s Texas Standard, featuring performer SaulPaul and other heartstring pulling speakers, the event will be held on National Love Day, a day that tasks us to love everyone, no matter what mistakes they have made.
At Women’s Storybook Project (WSP), the mission is to connect incarcerated mothers with their children through the joy and power of literature. Incarcerated moms are given the opportunity to earn (through good behavior) the ability to record themselves reading a book, which is then mailed to their child. The result is that a child gets to hear their mom reading them a bedtime story.
We are called to display unconditional love with kind words and thoughtful actions, especially during the pandemic with its unending uncertainty and racial tensions occurring across the world.
Amid Coronavirus, WSP volunteers are unable to visit the prisons, however, the organization continues to connect incarcerated mothers with their children (and caregivers) through a creative letter-writing campaign.
One mom who has benefited from WSP said this about her daughter, “I love her, I’m never going to stop loving her – no matter what happens – and I want her to know that.”
The simple sharing of a storybook can have a big impact on a family dealing with parental incarceration. These stories can strengthen and heal damaged relationships and build hope for the future.
Freethink video: https://storybookproject.org/cover-photo-of-freethink-video/
Buzzfeed video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10156156552770329
For more information, visit https://storybookproject.org/. To schedule an interview or receive more information, email marika@prbythebook.com. If you’d like to interview the Executive Director or Founder, please contact Marika Flatt, (512) 501-4399 ext. 701
Timely Dates
September:
- Read A New Book Month
- Self Improvement Month
- Children’s Book Month
Sept. 1, 2020: Letter Writing Day (Let’s encourage more volunteers to get involved in the WSP letter writing project)
Sept. 12, 2020: National Day of Encouragement (Let’s encourage these moms to be better!)
Sept. 13, 2020: Positive Thinking Day (Let’s encourage your audience to get involved.)
Sept. 27- Oct. 3, 2020: Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read
Sept. 30, 2020: National Love People Day (Let’s get more Texans involved with WSP for their annual event!)
About Women’s Storybook Project
Women’s Storybook Project helps incarcerated mothers maintain contact with and bring comfort to their children. We help these mothers record stories and messages of love.
We mail the recordings along with the books so the children can hear their mother’s voice and know that she is thinking of them. The idea for Women’s Storybook Project originated in 1993 with a program founded by Lutheran Social Services in Chicago.
We currently have 2 full-time employees and over 225 volunteers. Our service model utilizes cutting edge technology. Volunteers use digital recording devices to record mothers reading to their children, and the recordings are delivered on CDs or through URLs.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
