Meet, Angelica Zaragoza! Angelica Zaragoza’s journey with the Women’s Storybook Project (WSP) began during a challenging period of her life, marked by recurring incarcerations. Despite her hardships, she discovered WSP and its support, which became a lifeline for her and her eldest son, Andrew. “I was in and out of jails...
Author: Sun Connor (Sun Connor)
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Volunteer Spotlight: Sandy Carey
Meet Sandy Carey, a literacy champion with a heart of gold! 📚❤️ With 28 years of teaching experience and a deep love for reading, Sandy was deeply moved when she discovered the Women’s Storybook Project through her church. Since 2011, she’s volunteered in six prisons, and during the pandemic, she continued her mission through Storybook’s...
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Volunteer Spotlight: Rhoda Silverberg
Rhoda first began working in prisons when she lived on the East Coast. After moving back to Austin, Rhoda felt compelled to continue this line of volunteer work, that’s when she learned about the Women’s Storybook Project. “On my very first trip to one of the units in Gatesville, I was hooked. I knew I...
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Volunteer Spotlight: Laura Edge
Volunteer Spotlight:Â Meet, Laura Edge! Â How and when did you first get involved with WSP? Â I was at a writer’s conference in Houston doing publicity for my young adult book, Locked Up: A History of the U.S. Prison System, and JoAn Martin, a long-time Storybook volunteer, asked me if I would like to...
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Spotlight: Kanika’s baby shower celebration!
Wonderful volunteers! ” WSP volunteers and staff honored Kanika with a baby shower. We’re very happy for her and her soon-to-be born baby. And I’m very glad for our volunteers. They are a special caring group of women, and I’m grateful they’ve been part of my life.” – Judith
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The start of BookNotes #WSPturns20
Ron Stimson, an avid WSP supporter, passed away last month after struggling with cancer for two years. He loved the idea of connecting children with their incarcerated mothers and helped with many book drives from Grace Episcopal Church in Georgetown. He was so pleased to watch WSP grow and spread into many units. Most of...
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Thoughts from a volunteer: Dr. Breanna (Bree) Boppre shares the importance of empathy and in-prison volunteering
The U.S. is the world leader in incarceration and the social consequences of that status extend beyond prison walls and into the community. Each of the 1.4 million people incarcerated in the U.S. leaves behind a family system. Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic/Latiné families face increased risks due to racial disparities and overrepresentation in the U.S....
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20 Statistics between literacy and children #WSPturns20
Incarcerated mothers represent a growing population within the prison system. Their children face difficulties in social-emotional well-being, cognitive, and psychological risk due to change of guardian, home, and separation. It is important to note that, “there are no federal, state or local agencies responsible for obtaining information about children separated from their mothers due to...
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Volunteer Spotlight: Nicole Oglesby
“I first got involved in WSP in September. I found it by chance after searching for opportunities to serve incarcerated women.” What was your first impression of WSP? The whole experience is very moving. I love seeing the mothers transform emotionally after reading to their children. It’s also a great way to connect with other volunteers through...
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20 Systemic Issues within the Prison System #WSPturns20
For My Kids by Melissa Bigstone It seemed like a normal day, woke up got ready and I was on my way, But little did I know that all would be lost,  I was hoping and praying I could go back in the past, Wishing it didn’t happen so fast, Now all I can do...