Literacy Program Wins National Book Foundation Award
Fathers Bridging the Miles Gives Offenders Inroads into Their Children’s Lives
This year, the National Book Foundation awarded $2,500 to Saguaro Correctional Center’s Fathers Bridging the Miles (FBTM) program. Recognized for innovatively promoting literacy, FBTM is one of many rehabilitative and recreational programs that CCA offers to offenders.
“The idea behind the Innovations in Reading Prize is to reward individuals and institutions who are thinking outside the box, promoting the idea of reading in general,” says Leslie Shipman, the National Book Foundation’s director, Programs.
The Foundation selected five winners from approximately 150 applicants. Candidates were judged based on the number of people served and the need being addressed, with innovation as a critical deciding factor.
“The fathers will also be more inclined to read, and when they're released, that experience will prepare them to be more productive citizens of society,” Shipman explains. “And they'll be good fathers, to boot.”
Launched by Read to Me International, a Hawaii-based nonprofit organization, FBTM is offered to offenders with children between ages two and 10. Participants record themselves reading a book to their children on CDs, which are sent to the children so they can follow along with their fathers. FBTM has attracted approximately 117 active participants at Saguaro.
“It is amazing to see the relationships between fathers and their children bloom over books and reading,” says Pat Mizuno, FBTM program director. “We know our program is having an impact when we meet former program participants after being paroled and they are still reading to their children.”
FBTM was established at Red Rock Correctional Facility in 2007 and later moved to Saguaro. The program is made possible through a federal grant from the Department Of Health and Human Services’ Office of Financial Assistance. FBTM targets inmate fathers from the Hawaii Department of Public Safety and incorporates individual and group mentoring as well as parenting classes facilitated by Read to Me International staff members at the facility.
“Our mission is to share the love of reading aloud,” says Patryce Samuel, FBTM social worker/program specialist. “Through the amazing support our program has received from the wardens, chiefs and other staff at Saguaro, we have been afforded the opportunity to further our mission in a safe and secure environment.”
FBTM participant Velez Ronald can attest to these program benefits.
“This program is a blessing for me because it brings me closer to my kids and my wife,” says Velez. “I hope and pray that this program stays around because I know in my heart there are a lot of fathers in here that want a change with their kids.”
The funds awarded by the National Book Foundation will help cover program expenses.
CCA Source, Fall 2009