OpenMinds Book Club

Two organizations that work with families involved in the prison system have teamed up this winter to create the OpenMinds Book Club, an event series for children ages 5-8 who have been affected by the incarceration of a family member. 

OpenDoors, previously known as the RI Family Life Center, and Books Beyond, a volunteer-run organization that helps incarcerated parents create books on tape for their children, will host a series of events this year at locations around the city.  These occasions will be an opportunity for children to meet important community leaders, hear them describe why they like a particular book, and when possible, relate the book to their own personal story.  The FLC will also provide a free copy of the monthly book to each participating child. The kickoff event will be a holiday party hosted at Providence Children’s Museum (100 South Street in Providence) on December 18th from 5:00-7:30.  The event will feature guest reader Department of Corrections Director Ashbel T. Wall.  All attendees will receive free admission to the museum through MetLife Family Friday sponsored by MetLife Foundation.

OpenDoors was founded in 2002 to provide support for Rhode Islanders transitioning out of prison.  The agency’s programs include discharge planning within men’s Minimum Security, policy and advocacy on criminal justice issues, a one-stop Resource Center, and employment, housing, and financial literacy programs. OpenDoors programs seek to ameliorate the condition of the poor and promote economic self-sufficiency by improving job-readiness, addressing barriers to employment, and teaching job-retention skills.  According to Executive Director Sol Rodriguez, many OpenDoors clients also need help maintaining relationships with children.  According to the 2008 RI Kids Count Factbook, 67% of inmates in Rhode Island’s Correctional facilities are parents.  “From our experience working with currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, we know that family ties often break down or, at best, weaken when a family member is incarcerated. Our goal is to foster stronger ties between currently and formerly incarcerated parents, their children, adult caregivers, and supportive services offered in the community, and to build a support network for children in dire need of services.” 

Books Beyond is a volunteer-run program that seeks to build connections between incarcerated parents and their children through reading.  Volunteers work with inmates to make audio recordings of the parent reading a book to their child.  Then, the audio recording and the book are mailed by volunteers to that child.  Books Beyond provides a regular and essential link between incarcerated parents and their families, providing an opportunity for healthy contact, and thus mitigating many of the negative consequences that result from incarceration.  Books Beyond is currently seeking volunteers.  For more information, please contact Ken Findlay at 401.462.0185.

OpenMinds Book Club is made possible by a grant from the Providence Shelter for Colored Children.