In the spring of 2020, I saw an interview on TV that involved our executive director, Jill Gonzalez, regarding the Women’s Storybook Project.  I was inspired by their mission to connect incarcerated moms with their children through the joy of literature. I knew right away that I wanted to be a part of this group.

Having been a reading specialist, I worked with many children who had a mom in prison and I saw first hand how much they missed their moms and how it affected them.  Hearing their mom’s voice reading a book to them would have made such a difference in their everyday lives.  I saw the Women’s Storybook Project as a way that I could help children have a connection and bond with their incarcerated moms in such a way that I couldn’t before as a teacher.

When I first started volunteering for the Women’s Storybook Project, I was very moved by how grateful and appreciative the moms were to have us come and share our time with them.  They felt that this program was an opportunity for them to do something for their child and be a part of their lives while they are away.

I love to hear the stories the moms have shared about how their child reacts when they receive their books.  One mom shared that her son sleeps with the books she sends him under his pillow every night and listens to the recordings over and over again. Another mom has shared that her daughter keeps a stack of books that she has sent right next to her bed, not in her bookcase, so she can read and listen to them over and over again.  Some of the moms who have older children only have time to read a few chapters in a book.  Some of the moms have wanted to check out the same book from the library so they can read along with their child and have a conversation about the book when they talk to them on the phone.  It is always heartwarming to see the moms take such care in choosing books for their child based on their interests and some even have book requests from their children.  I love to see how excited and enthusiastic the moms are when they talk about how they couldn’t wait to come for Storybook day and are eagerly looking forward to the next month.

I will never forget the mom on her first day in the program, who could not understand why we volunteer for this program.  She asked, “Do you get paid for coming?” and “Why do you do this?” This conversation went around and around with us explaining that our payment is the joy we receive by giving our time and energy to help children have a connection with their moms by reading books and hearing their voices.  She just could not understand this way of thinking. She was very apprehensive about the program at first, but as each month passed, her demeanor changed from being defensive to being grateful for the opportunity to bond with her children as she received so much positive feedback and excitement from them each time they received their packages in the mail from her.  She also shared that this program helped her establish a better relationship with her children’s caregiver. She became a huge advocate for the program and promoted it with other incarcerated moms at the prison.  She also told us that when she gets out, she wants to find a volunteer opportunity and make a difference for somebody too.

 Many of the moms have also inquired about how they can become a volunteer with the Storybook program once they leave prison.  That tells me how much this program means to them and has affected them in such a positive way.

Being a team leader and being a part of the Storybook programs committee has been an honor and a very rewarding experience for me.  I get to work closely with the amazing WSP staff and other team leaders along with so many wonderful volunteers.  Everyone loves what they are doing and are so dedicated to helping the moms and their children.  WSP has been a very special place to volunteer!