Posts Tagged 'community'

Up in Here book discussion—Fri., June 5 at City Lit Books

Join us at City Lit Books in welcoming Mark Dostert to discuss his debut memoir, Up in Here: Jailing Kids on Chicago’s Other Side, which chronicles his experiences as a counselor at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, Chicago’s infamous 500-cell juvenile jail, known as the Audy Home.

Mark will be in conversation with Alex Kotlowitz, author of There Are No Children Here: The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in the Other America. We’re looking forward to a provocative dialogue. Don’t miss it!

Friday, June 5, 6:30 p.m.
CityLit Books
2523 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago

UpInHere     ThereAreNoChildrenHere

Learn more on the City Lit event page.

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Mother’s Day Art and Card Making Event for Incarcerated Mothers—Thurs., April 23

Mothers_Day_Card_Making

Bring your creativity and caring! We’ll be making cards and art to send to mothers who are incarcerated in Illinois jails and prisons as well as Federal prisons. (Did you know that two-thirds of the women incarcerated in the U.S. are mothers of minor children?) Continue reading ‘Mother’s Day Art and Card Making Event for Incarcerated Mothers—Thurs., April 23′

RSVP: Social Ways to Support Our Work

This time for once we’re not talking about Facebook or Twitter

In November a friend of ours in Texas told us she was planning a fundraiser in her home. We heard back from her recently:

I hosted a small Christmas party at my house where I invited all my girlfriends (many from a book club I belong to). I asked everyone to bring a used book, which we laid out on a large table and swapped among ourselves. I had a separate table displaying the letters from the inmates you sent me as well as a donation box. (I’d read on your site that it was better to give cash than to incur the cost of shipping books multiple times.) That way people could donate if they felt inclined and everyone went away with a “new” book.  I gave some door prizes as well. Everyone really liked the idea. I’m happy to contribute to your organization. My sister is incarcerated and I know how much books and reading has meant to her there.

The following day I posted a thank you on my Facebook page with a link to your Amazon wish list so that those who didn’t donate or couldn’t come to the party would have a chance to contribute after the fact.

Continue reading ‘RSVP: Social Ways to Support Our Work’

Holiday Donation Drive for Women in Cook County Jail

Please support this initiative by Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer. Your thoughtfulness will help women in difficult circumstances during the holidays and beyond.

Continue reading ‘Holiday Donation Drive for Women in Cook County Jail’

Sunday, October 19—Books Behind Bars at Uncharted Books

Learn more about what we do and the difference it makes to the women we serve. We love Uncharted Books—they’ve been a good friend by helping us get hard-to-find books—and we appreciate Tanner’s support. Join us for:

Books Behind Bars
Hosted by Uncharted Books

Sunday, October 19, 6 p.m.
2620 N. Milwaukee (Kedzie & Milwaukee) in Logan Square
Light refreshments served

  • Hear guest speaker Reynolds Wintersmith—whose sentence was recently commuted by Presidential pardon after serving 20 years—on his experience and the importance of books for him in prison
  • Browse at Uncharted and buy books requested by the women we serve
  • Learn from our volunteers all the ways you can help provide books to people in prisons

Download event flyer