This is one of those times where "the worlds great need and your deep gladness" intersected! I share her story with you in hopes that it might inspire us to find our mission! You might even want to help Katie with hers!
As some of you are aware, several fellow social work students and myself have started a book club at a women's correctional institute in Columbia, SC. The book club has now met 3 times, and I can really and truly say that it is one of the coolest things I've ever done. Each of the 20 women who comes to the book club has a huge desire to learn, and to listen, and to THINK. It has been amazing hearing these women share their personal stories with us, and seeing the connections they are able to draw between the stories we read and their own lives.Our book club meets once a month (or once every six weeks during the summer). Prior to every meeting, books are donated to each inmate participating in the book club. We have also given the women journals so that they can take notes, jot down favorite passages, (or, as far as we know, doodle to their heart's content...) etc. We have been able to acquire funds for the book club so far through donations, and we continue to brainstorm ways to fund the book club in the future (including applying for grants, soliciting Oprah...). However, we are still in need of additional funds to ensure that books can continue to be purchased every month. I have created a website with basic information about the book club and a link that allows people to donate. You can donate anonymously or publicly, as little as $5, or as much as your pocket book allows. Any financial support would be greatly appreciated, but I realize that even $5 isn't always possible to spare. If you are unable to spare the $$$, or just don't feel like going through the steps of donating (though, seriously, it's suuuuper easy), I would also love to hear any questions, comments, or suggestions that you might have :-)
I have loved being able to do this the past few months. I'm still less than certain what I'll want to do with my life after I've graduated from the MSW program next Spring, but I do know that the idea of bringing stories to others, and being able to share in the process of hating/loving/liking those stories, has been amazing. You can't help but reveal parts of your own story when you talk about the stories of others. And by doing all this story-telling/sharing, I think it's made a pretty big impact in these ladies' lives. I know it has in mine.
Thanks for all of you who have helped so far! Hope everyone is having a great Summer!
Cheers :-)
Katie
P.S. If you know anyone else who might like to be involved (by giving some money, or just because they're a little nerdy and get super-excited about book clubs), feel free to share the link to the website with them :-) :-) :-)
P.S. If you know anyone else who might like to be involved (by giving some money, or just because they're a little nerdy and get super-excited about book clubs), feel free to share the link to the website with them :-) :-) :-)
