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...
Category: Blog Post
WSP Executive Director delivers Christmas Carol cheer!
Students from Independent Identity joined WSP Executive Director, Jill Gonzalez last week with a slew of holiday carols. Independent Identity creates quality lives for adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Merry Christmas! Be safe ( and warm)!
Volunteer Spotlight: Breanna Boppre, PhD
“This fall. I saw WSP on Twitter. I looked up more about the organization and thought it would be an excellent service-learning partner for my students in Violence Against Women. We have a whole section on women’s incarceration in the class.” – Dr. Breanna Boppre, Assistant Professor in the Department of Victim Studies at Sam...
Volunteer Spotlight: Mikaela Lopez
Meet Communications Intern, Mikaela. She is studying social work at St. Edwards University in Austin. This position helps to “get my feet wet for community outreach and non-profit PR (public relations), which is what I would like to do in the future.” Mikaela wishes other people knew more about the efficiency and flexibility of providing...
Jill Gonzalez is Consuela Styles’ NEW Viva Babe!
Consuela Styles is a fashion and lifestyle brand founded in Austin, Texas. The fashion brand has awarded its vivid, unique textile bags worldwide. Click the link below to learn more about the bags and their mission. This month, Consuela worked their magic with our Executive Director, Jill Gonzalez, at our Women Storybook Project office. Through...
Volunteer Spotlight: Betsy McCraine
Elizabeth McCraine first learned about WSP at her church, St. Matthew’s, 14 years ago, and she has been a team leader for about 12 years now. She still recalls the early stages of the program, when she and Pat Yeargain would haul tape recorders, cassettes, and supplies up to the Mountain View Unit. The first...
Volunteer Spotlight: Charlene Ingram
“I was so moved by the dedication of the various volunteers in trying to make a positive impact on the relationships between incarcerated moms and their children.” – Charlene Ingram, Volunteer, Team Leader She enjoys seeing the moms relax, open up and express their love and hopes for their children. Charlene reminds us that there...
Longtime volunteer, Dugie Graham’s return to prison
I’ve volunteered with WSP since 2009 and like most of our volunteers, have loved being a part of Women’s Storybook Project, especially going into the prisons and meeting the moms we serve. Then my personal life was turned upside down 4 years ago with the death of our son and then personal health challenges with chemo...
Volunteer Spotlight: Cynthia Winer
Cynthia Winer has been working with Women’s Storybook Project since 2011. After five years as a team leader at Lane Murray, she now serves the program in the Volunteer Intake position. In this role, she helps volunteers get approved through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Windham School District. “I love doing this job...
Volunteer Spotlight: Marcella Viktorin
Women’s Storybook Project was my placement for 2 years and I have since continued to volunteer in prisons and in the office on my own. I now also sit on the Board of Directors! After reading the WSP placement description in 2019, I immediately ranked WSP #1 on my preferences. I’d never heard of anything sweeter or more touching! And...