Lutheran Social Services of Illinois’ (LSSI’s) Storybook Project helps keep incarcerated parents and their children connected. With the help of volunteers, an incarcerated parent selects a book and makes a recording of him- or herself reading that book to her or his child. The recording and book are then sent to the child. Parents may also record a brief, personal message, a song, a Bible verse or a message of thanks to the child’s caregivers. Annually, more than 15 federal, state and county correctional facilities host Storybook Project events.

Fast Facts about Storybook

• More than 5,000 children receive books and recordings from their incarcerated parents each year.
• More than 100 volunteers from more than 40 churches statewide assist in the recording of the books.
• More than 100 churches, community groups and individuals support Storybook with donations of books and supplies.
• Storybook was awarded “Volunteer Program” of the year at Logan Correctional Center (CC) in 2007 and at Southwestern Illinois CC in 2008. In 2008, Storybook was named “Most Versatile Program” at Decatur CC.
• Cheryl Garlisch, central Illinois program coordinator, was named Volunteer of the Year by Decatur CC in 2011, by Taylorville CC in 2010 and by Pekin Federal in 2005. In 2010, Sue Pille, long-time Storybook volunteer at Pekin Federal, was awarded “Volunteer of the Year” by Pekin Federal. Betty Stralow, northern Illinois program coordinator, was named Volunteer of the Year by Dixon CC in 2003.

Learn More

Phone: 217/528-2384 (Springfield)
E-mail:Gail.Beard@LSSI.org