Hard times call for extraordinary measures, which is why The Storybook Project Outreach Program was formed. Originally it started in Chicago, Illinois at Cook County Jail, by the organization titled Companions, Working Together, Inc. Within that same year, in Lincoln, Illinois, the Lutheran Social Services decided to add a similar program to Logan Correctional Center, in "attempt to offset the damage that can be caused by a prolonged separation between mother and child."
From the very beginning this program was popular. The news rang out as loud as a jail cell clangs across the country. Geared for mothers in prison, it was possible for a child to continue a relationship with mom while she was behind bars. The magazine that really helped other states to connect was printed by the Southern Poverty Law Center; titled, Teaching Tolerance. By 2000 the second "Storybook Project" called, Aid to Inmate Mothers, began in Alabama. By 2001 Maryland Chapter’s National Association of Women Judges Storybook Project, began at the Jessup Correctional Institution for Women. The goal that remains constant within all of the organizations, is their mission to offset the damage, just by reading a book.
A statistic from the Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin in Washington D.C. on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice, released a Special Report in August of 2008 titled "Parents in Prison and their Minor Children." The report indicates that "since 1991, the number of children with a mother in prison has more than doubled, up 131%. Approximately 75% of incarcerated women are mothers, and two-thirds have children under age 18." That is perhaps another reason why several states throughout the country have began other chapters of the Storybook Project.
The sole purpose of this organization is to minimize the disconnect that happens between families during a period of time that a parent is incarcerated. Children suffer from a variety of disparities, including separation anxiety, depression, emotional dysfunction including feelings of neglect and loss of a loved one, and economic hardships. Children can become so developmentally disengaged that it limits their interaction in daily tasks, and socially they digress. Children may become part of Child Protective Services while their parent is away, causing siblings to break up and live in different households. Some children may never see their mother again if they so choose and are embarrassed to even think or talk about the situation. A lot of children believe that it is their fault, and that they did something wrong. These emotions can escalate to a level of distrust, disrespect and rebellion that may lead to drug and alcohol experimentation, dropping out of school, misdemeanors, and felonies. Some grow up to be so deeply wounded by being separated from their mother, that they end up in prison too, because they believe that their life has no worth or value.
The Storybook Project in Texas began in 2003. The program involves volunteers going into the prison system and recording mothers reading a story on cassette. The child then gets a copy of the tape and the story that their mother is reading. A caretaker that had been taking care of some children wrote to a mother in prison regarding the effect the story had on them. “When the books and tapes arrived the girls didn’t quite understand the concept. As the tape began to play, and it was their mother’s voice, there was such a mixture of laughter and tears. One of the twins wrapped her arms around her body as if she were embracing her mom, it brought tears to my eyes.”
In 2010 the Women's Storybook Project of Texas mailed 3,208 books and tapes to children in Texas and throughout the United States. This won them the prestigious “Susan Cranford” Award on behalf of the Female Offender Program. The award was in memory of a hero, who died from cancer in 2007. "Susan Cranford’s innovative thinking and relentless desire to improve criminal justice programs for females gained her a well-deserved national reputation as an expert on women’s issues in the field of corrections, both from the staff and offender perspectives."
Judith Dullnig,a Women's Storybook Project of Texas Volunteer, receives many letters from grateful family members. The following letter she received last Christmas additionally thanked all of the volunteers for their work too.
"I am writing on behalf of my 3 1/2 year old granddaughter, Meredith, as well as myself. Words can not express the gratitude or the magnitude of the sheer joy of the program that this project brings. If only you could have seen the happiness on this child's face the second she heard her mama's voice. I get so emotional every time I think about it. After the story, the message at the end, her mom said Merry Christmas and I love you. And Meredith immediately hollered back to the recording, "I love you too Mama!" As if she was right there in her lap. It was the sweetest thing. She listened and read along to the recording over and over again."
Judith Dullnig,a Women's Storybook Project of Texas Volunteer, receives many letters from grateful family members. The following letter she received last Christmas additionally thanked all of the volunteers for their work too.
"I am writing on behalf of my 3 1/2 year old granddaughter, Meredith, as well as myself. Words can not express the gratitude or the magnitude of the sheer joy of the program that this project brings. If only you could have seen the happiness on this child's face the second she heard her mama's voice. I get so emotional every time I think about it. After the story, the message at the end, her mom said Merry Christmas and I love you. And Meredith immediately hollered back to the recording, "I love you too Mama!" As if she was right there in her lap. It was the sweetest thing. She listened and read along to the recording over and over again."
As we pave a brighter tomorrow for America, we hope that more women and men will be inspired to help impact the lives of children and their mothers. Find a Storybook Project near you and get involved locally. If you can't find a program in your state but you're interested to learn more, read on! In Texas there are several ways to help the Women's Storybook Project. You can volunteer to record a mother reading a book to her child, donate padded envelopes for parents to sent the package in, assist in financial support of equipment, transportation, or postage, or simply donate packaged books. You can even choose to purchase a book from Border's Book Store at the Arboretum on the University of Texas Campus, and the Women's Storybook Project will pick it up, and deliver it for you. For more information check out http://www.storybookproject.org/.
1.) http://www.nawj.org/programs.asp
2.) http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/announcements/announcement-governors-2010-governors-crim-justice-award-womens_storybook_project.htm
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