Companions

Home of Aunt Mary's Storybook. Nonprofit org serving justice involved people & their families. We connect justice involved people w/ their kids through literacy

[Companions @cjtinc]

@BNGenevaCommons We have more opportunities to offer this program to people in custody, and have big dreams to continue its expansion. To accomplish, that we need to raise more money and supplies. We extend our gratitude to the collaboration with these two groups for providing us with more books.

[Companions @cjtinc]

A huge shout out to @bngenevacommons and the St. Charles Breakfast Rotary Club. This year, once again, they invited shoppers to purchase books for organizations serving children, including our Aunt Mary's Storybook Project. Check out a few of the beautiful books donated to us!

[Companions @cjtinc]

We were thrilled to participate in the 10 Millionth Book Celebration hosted by Valley View Council, @AFTunion, & @FirstBook! Check out some of the amazing books we picked out! Through Aunt Mary's Storybook, these books will bring joy to kids who have an incarcerated family member

[Companions @cjtinc]

By helping fellow people in custody record stories for the children important to them, they've help to create connections that span the distance between hearts and bars. We are so thankful for their help!

[Companions @cjtinc]

Big thanks to these four incarcerated peer educators at the Decatur Correctional Center whose support has been pivotal to Aunt Mary's Storybook's inaugural visit this past Friday.

[Companions @cjtinc]

Today, we're mailing out a wave of love and stories from our latest Aunt Mary's Storybook session at Kewanee Life Skills Reentry Center! Participants have chosen heartfelt tales, recorded themselves reading aloud, & are now sharing these books with the children important to them

[Companions @cjtinc]

Their thoughtful choices will brighten the days of families, connecting people in custody with the kids important to them through the power of stories. This partnership showcases the powerful effect of collaboration and empathy.

We're so appreciative of their efforts!

[Companions @cjtinc]

Big thanks to Juliana, Melisa, & Max from @LoyolaChicago's criminal justice program who joined forces with Audrey and Nancy at @OpenBooks, an amazing nonprofit book bank that also offers literacy programming, to handpick books for Aunt Mary's Storybook! 📚

[Companions @cjtinc]

We'd like to shoutout Mr. Westray and Mr. Anderson from Lawrence CC. These incredible incarcerated mentors helped fellow people in custody record stories for their children, bringing families closer with every word read. Their dedication & support for our program is amazing.

[Companions @cjtinc]

Years ago, we were asked to bring card and stationery packets to women at Cook County Jail for Mother's Day, moving beyond just lined paper & envelopes. It's been a growing project! This year, we're sending thousands to institutions in Illinois, thanks to donations from across IL

[Companions @cjtinc]

The joy these stories spark is a testament to the enduring power of love & literacy. More moments like these to come, one book at a time!

[Companions @cjtinc]

Families are receiving their heartfelt packages from our recent Aunt Mary's Storybook session at Menard! Incarcerated participants have bridged distances with their children through stories—sending love, hope, and connection with every recorded word.

[Companions @cjtinc]

A heartfelt thank you to the Chicago and Oak Brook offices of HBK Engineering for running a successful book drive for Aunt Mary's Storybook! Your contributions play a pivotal role in bridging the distance between people in custody and their children, one story at a time.

[Companions @cjtinc]

This past Saturday, heartfelt stories leaped from pages to hearts, with selections including:
1️⃣ Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss
2️⃣ Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
3️⃣ Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

Each book chosen is a bridge of love and hope between parents and their children.

[Companions @cjtinc]

Excited to announce that Aunt Mary's Storybook has been warmly welcomed into Division 9 of the Cook County Jail, a max security division, for monthly sessions! Our mission? To connect those in custody with their children through the magic of reading and storytelling. 📚✨

[Companions @cjtinc]

@LoyolaChicago @CCJLoyola This unique volunteer experience goes beyond the books. It's about understanding, empathy, and seeing the humanity in everyone: A valuable lesson for our future criminal legal system professionals.

[Companions @cjtinc]

Shoutout to 4 criminal justice students from @LoyolaChicago @CCJLoyola for volunteering with Aunt Mary's Storybook this past Friday! They helped bridge hearts across miles by assisting incarcerated people in recording bedtime stories for the children important to them.

[Companions @cjtinc]

Thank you to every woman who turns pages into bridges, connecting hearts with hope and love. Your resilience and care light the way for a brighter future. 💖

[Companions @cjtinc]

🌸 This #InternationalWomensDay, Aunt Mary's Storybook celebrates the incredible women caring for children with incarcerated loved ones. These guardians help keep family bonds strong by sharing stories across distances.

[Companions @cjtinc]

We'd like to acknowledge the support we received from Menard Correctional Center Medium Security Unit incarcerated facilitators Mr. Perkins, Mr. Black, Mr. Hubbert, and Mr. Clinton. They helped Aunt Mary's Storybook this past Friday. We are grateful for their help! 📷