“We must build a movement for education, not incarceration. A movement for jobs, not jails. A movement that will end all forms of discrimination against people released from prison – discrimination that denies them basic human rights to work, shelter and food.” – Michelle Alexander
We are an all-volunteer non-hierarchical organization: people from all different systems of belief and walks of life. Some of us support prisoners as an expression of religious testimony. Some of us have incarcerated loved ones, or were formerly incarcerated. Some of us simply want to take practical steps to end the cycle of incarceration, failure, and re-incarceration. No matter your reason for wanting to get involved, if you share our belief that education is a human right and want to extend that right to people in prison we would love to work with you!
VOLUNTEERING
One of the biggest ways you can help us is by volunteering your time! We meet every Saturday (12-5pm) and Wednesday(4-8pm) in the Community Center of First Trinity Lutheran Church (643 W 31st Street). All are welcome to come help read letters and pack books – we would love to see you there! Check out our Instagram page for updates.
FUNDING
We are an all-volunteer organization: by donating just a few dollars, you can help pay for postage costs which allow us to continue to provide books and other print media to the incarcerated people we serve, free of charge. As we are a 501c3 organization, you may be eligible for tax deductions.
DONATING BOOKS
We primarily rely on donations of books, magazines, scientific journals, and other print media in order to maintain a well-stocked library from which we can select materials to respond to incoming requests for reading materials. CONDITION: For used books, the main concern is if they are “damaged”, “stained”, have stickers, etc. because these days many prisons are rejecting them. We know which institutions do and do not allow hardcover, so we accept those. Here are generally the topics we are in most need of acquiring: anti colonial / black, brown, and indigenous authors / softcover dictionaries / almanacs / law/legal / art, drawing, crafts / trades, diy, how to, fixit books / fantasy/sci-fi / books in spanish / thriller/mystery / comics & manga / LGBTQ+ fiction / business, investing, finance, economics / GED test prep to higher ed / computer books(newer only) / puzzle / game books
If you have books you would like to donate, you can drop them off at the Community Center door at First Trinity Lutheran Church / 643 W. 31st Street / Chicago, Illinois 60608 or contact us to arrange the donation.