Even though their mothers can’t be with them to read bedtime stories, the children who are part of AIM outreach can still hear special messages thanks to the Storybook Program. The program provides comfort to children each month by offering them a tape recording of their mothers reading books.
Volunteers go to the prison one Saturday a month and help the mothers prepare a DVD recording of a book to send to their children. The children’s books are donated by local churches, businesses, organizations and individuals. If a mother doesn’t read well, a volunteer assists by reading the book to the mother and letting her repeat the words into the camera. The DVD, along with the children’s book, are then mailed from AIM.
Each month, more than 350 children eagerly await these packages. Often the mothers will also record a message or song to personalize the recording for their child. For some children, who perhaps have a guardian unwilling or unable to take them for visits, these DVDS may be their only contact with their mothers.
“To actually be able to send them a part of me, my voice reading them a story, as well as the gift of a book and personal message is such a blessing. I thank you all for this from the bottom of my heart. I can never tell you what joy this has brought me and my children.”
– A mother at Tutwiler Prison who is involved in the Storybook Program
How can you help?
You can help give children and their mothers this special connection by supporting the Storybook Program. Volunteers are needed each month to help record stories, and donations of books and funds for equipment help keep this program running.