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Prison Book Program e-Newsletter
January 2009
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| "I have seen a great deal of your work throughout the prison system. Constructive literacy has done what no counselor or facilitator could accomplish. Literacy has disarmed the criminal mind. This disarmament has altered the prisoners negative state of thinking, allowing a positive thought process of reception and an inner will to change. The books you send out are alive and skilled tutors, doing the the footwork. Within these borders are people's children. Literacy intervention, in the place of a family member or friend, has saved countless lives: prisoner's, children's children."
---- Dylan Morales (Lancaster, CA) |
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| 2008 - A Record Setting Year! |
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7,653 PRISONERS SERVED IN 2009
Thanks to many generous donors and the legions of volunteers who helped us sort, pick and mail books, we sent out 7,653 book packages in 2008! That makes 2008 our biggest year ever.
2008 also broke another record. In our 35 year history, there was only one month where we sent out over 1000 packages. We did that three times in 2008.
So make a monetary donation, donate books or volunteer your time - and help us make 2009 an even bigger year! |
| Resolve to Help PBP in 2009! |
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 Resolve to make the world a better place one book at a time, one inmate at a time! PBP has many opportunities no matter what your unique skills and interests. Giving back was never so rewarding, and keeping a resolution was never so easy.
Here are some ways you can help:
- Make a cash donation. We make it easy with PayPal. Every $3 we get helps to get quality books into the hands of one prisoner.
- Tell your friends and family about Prison Book Program and help spread the word. Forward this newsletter to 3 people!
- Volunteer on Tuesday or Thursday nights from 6:30 - 9 pm or one of our monthly Saturday sessions from 10-4.
- Scour your bookshelves -- as well as those of your friends and family -- for paperback book donations suitable for PBP.
- Buy a few inexpensive, paperback dictionaries when you see them. Library sales are great places to look. In the Boston area, Building 19 and Ocean State Job Lot have them for under $2 each!
- Do you have computer skills? We always need help with database work, confirming addresses of prisoners, etc.
- Introduce us to a foundation, corporation or a publisher that may be willing to support our work.
- Join our community on Facebook and LinkedIn for advance notice of special events and to be part of a community of like-minded people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Are you a college student needing community service hours? Join us and that daunting block of time will fly by! Parents and friends of college students -- spread the word to the students you know and introduce them to PBP.
- Did we mention making a small cash donation via PayPal? :)
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| Volunteer Spotlight:
Grace Roznowski |
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AT 88, SHE HOLDS REGULAR FUNDRAISERS FOR PBP!
 A big thank you goes out to 88 year-old Grace Roznowski. For two years in a row now, Mrs. Roznowski has held a "PBP Flea Market" at the VFW hall in East Greenbush, NY. This year alone, she raised $73 - enough to send books to 24 prisoners. She plans to raise even more next year and challenges other PBP supporters around the country to hold fundraisers of their own! |
| Changing the Present |
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SEND (OR ASK FOR) MEANINGFUL GIFTS FOR BIRTHDAYS, WEDDINGS OR JUST BECAUSE!
Thanks to our partnership with Changing the Present, we now offer many different donation gifts that you can "give" to family and friends. Once you select a gift, you can then send a beautiful, personalized greeting card to announce the donation in your own words. Give a gift today!
You can also create a gift registry where you can let friends know that you would welcome a donation gift made in your name for a wedding, birthday, or other special event. 
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| Laptop Computers Needed |
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Verifying prisoners' addresses is the best way for us to reduce our postage expenses (Our media mail packages cannot be forwarded to transferred/paroled prisoners).
A laptop computer (using our wireless connectivity) would allow more of our volunteers to verify addresses in the dining room of the church where we prepare book shipments. If you have one or more laptop computers to donate, we will put them to good use! Pentium M or higher that can connect to the internet wirelessly is all we require. Please contact info@prisonbookprogram.org if you have any to donate. |
| Thank You Volunteers! |
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 MANY MANY THANKS TO OUR DECEMBER VOLUNTEERS!
- Boston Cares
- Emerson College service learning students
- Fidelity Cares
- Park Street Church, Boston
- Northeastern University service learning students
- Suffolk University service learning students
... and numerous dedicated individuals!
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| Prisoner Writing |
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| Malia's Song
No one heard my cries / No hand wiped the tears from my eyes / I just wanted to be hugged more and hit less / I'm Sorry Mommy I didn't mean to make you upset / I was hungry / I won't do it again / NO / Please make him stop / Why don't you love me like you do him / is it because I've been a bad girl again / ...
It is over now I'm in my daddy's arms / No more pain / No more harm / a place where angels play / I know no hunger or sorrow / I no longer fear tomorrow / I can write my name in the clouds and ride the rainbows / Finally I know peace...
The only thing that I ask / is that you who read this learn from the past / If you see me in another child please act / Be their voice and hands / alone they can't / But with you they can / and please don't worry for now I am home / May the tears that fill your eyes be for the child who is afraid to cry / and not your own / SMILE / My fragile body of my flower lives on / My name is Malia and this is my song...
--- Nick Rudd (Butner, NC)
(Note from Nick: "Malia was a malnourished little girl who was beaten to death by her mother's boyfriend because she was caught stealing some yogurt. Please stop the abuse. I am a child abuse advocate. Prison is filled with abused children...Prevention is the cure. Please help. They only want to be loved and hugged.")
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| Support PBP |
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The Prison Book Program is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. |
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Prisoner Resources |
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PLEASE PRINT AND SHARE THESE RESOURCES
WITH YOUR LOVED ONES IN PRISON
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Book Packing Hours |
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Tuesdays & Thursdays
6:30 - 9:00 PM
3rd Saturdays
Jan 17, 10-4
Feb 21, 10-4
Mar 14, 10-4
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| Stats |
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December Stats
Prisoners served:
841
Books sent:
1,682
Volunteers:
103
Books sent:
15,306
Volunteers:
1,567
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