Between The Lines

This League-year we have had 3 readings at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility and one reading at Santiam.Correctional Institution.  We have recorded a total of 100 parents reading stories to 171 children.

At each reading, we have inmates complete a survey.  Almost 100% of the inmates said that they were satisfied with the program and had a positive experience. A few comments from the surveys are below.

“Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re enthusiasm and ease brought me back down to what’s important.  Staying focused and always bonding with our children, our future really.”

“I think this is an awesome program and I am very grateful to the volunteers and the buyers of the books.”

"Just keep doing things like this in order to help us be a part of our children's lives while away! This is wonderful!"

"Thank you for doing this. It means soooo much to me to be able to do something like this for my son. Thanks again, it's a great program!"

"We need to have this program everywhere."

“This is a great event, very relaxed, and I enjoyed participating. Thank you for the opportunity and I look forward to doing it again.”

“Thank you for your time and resources for us. This is a positive program to us, and helps portray a positive unifying experience.” 

We also sent a survey to family members/caretakers of the children.  A few comments from the caretaker survey are below.

“I think it is a great idea. It gives the inmate a sense of interacting with their children when they can’t be there. It gives the kids a chance to hear Mom’s voice too.  We appreciate all that you do.”

This program “makes parents responsible to take that precious time needed to read to their child. Their mother did a very good job at picking books that fit her children’s interest. They look forward to all the books they get.” (Caretaker commented that having a recording for the children to listen to and follow along with puts the parenting responsibility back on the parent. This frees up time for the caretaker to handle other household responsibilities while the children are reading & listening to their books.)

 “Yes, (it strengthens bonds) very much!  Just to be able to hear their Daddy’s voice whenever they want puts a smile on their faces.  Thank you for doing this for our family. It means a lot to all of us.”

“My granddaughter was especially happy to hear a story her mom had read to her since she was very young.  We don’t see my granddaughter’s mom, my daughter, as much as we would like. (Grandmother is in her 70’s and is physically unable to drive that far.)  Thank you for making a little girl very happy and with a feeling of closeness to her Mom.”

“It brought out hidden feelings.  She cried and was happy all in one.  She listens to the tape and follows along in the book, which strengthens her reading skills.  Her daughter asked to be taken to visit her mother as soon as the story was over.”

This program “contributed to continued (existing) bond process.”

“My granddaughter has listened to this book at least 20-25 times since receiving it 2 days ago.”

Thank you for your support!