BAMBI UPDATE By: Tiel Rainelli, WSP Programs Coordinator BAMBI (Babies and Mothers Bonding Initiative), a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) program housed at the Santa Maria Hostel in Houston, offers women who are pregnant in prison the rare experience to be with their child for 12 to 24 months (during their incarceration), fostering a...
Category: News & Articles
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Barnes and Noble Book Drive 2024 By: Desirae Landrum
My Experience Volunteering at this Year’s Barnes and Noble Holiday Book Drive By: Desirae Landrum Mission Women’s Storybook Project prison program helps incarcerated mothers maintain contact with and bring comfort to their children. We help these mothers record stories and messages of love for their children and then mail the recordings along with the books...
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Board Member Spotlight: Matt Walker
Social Media: X/Twitter and LinkedIn How you first got involved with WSP(and when) I learned about WSP several years ago, as my church (Westlake United Methodist) has been a consistent supporter of the organization and its mission. A former Board member talked to me about her experience with WSP and prompted me to investigate my...
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Volunteer Spotlight: Ana Benhalim
“I had heard about Women’s Storybook Project while still living in Virginia and when we knew we were moving to Austin two years ago I added volunteering with the organization to my list of plans for getting involved in my new community. Luckily I got the opportunity quickly as a member of the Junior League...
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Avoiding Stress at the Holidays
Avoiding Stress at the Holidays by WSP Team Lead, Shereen Vinke The winter holidays–really, all holidays–can be immensely stressful, but having kids makes them even more anxiety-inducing. We want you to have the best possible holiday experience for your first year back with your kids so you can build your bank of happy memories. We...
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20th Anniversary Soiree – A night to remember!
What a night to remember! Our 20th-anniversary soirée on December 1st was a heartfelt celebration of two decades of love and literature, and we’re still buzzing with gratitude. Firstly, an immense shout out to the Neil-Cochran House Museum for graciously hosting our milestone celebration. Your historic venue provided the perfect ambiance, elevating our event to...
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Board Member Spotlight: Angelica Zarazoga
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...
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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: Meet, Laura Edge! How and when did you first get involved with WSP? 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...