Bedtime stories can help children stay connected to a mother who is in jail.
But there is a need for more books — particularly bilingual and Spanish books — for mothers to read on audiotape.
The children can follow along, and listening to Mom read improves their reading, said the Rev. Ed Light, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City.
The northwest Oklahoma City church is helping collect books to send to the Tulsa County jail for its bedtime stories
“When a parent is incarcerated, you have a child who is left without a parent,” Light said.
“Parents and adults reading with children is extremely important and makes a huge impact on kids' lives, improves their grades and
Light said the need for such a program is great in Oklahoma, which has the highest number of incarcerated women in the
“I can see how there is a huge need,” Light said.
“It gives children a connection to their mother.”
More than 20 United Methodist churches in Oklahoma have helped collect books for the Tulsa jail program, said Mike Hardgrove, chaplain and program
There is a constant need for more books — new or used — so parents can read different stories for their children.
“The purpose is for us to help in a small way to maintain the relationship between the parent and the child while the parent is here in jail,” Hardgrove said.
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