2019ANNUAL REPORT

Our Mission Connecting children with their incarcerated moms through the joy of literature.

Women's Storybook Project

Where We ServeWSP served children in 118 Texas counties through programs in nine TDCJ facilities in 2019. Programs took place in: Dayton, Gatesville, Lockhart, San Saba and Marlin, TX.

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A note from Jill

Women’s Storybook Project had another successful year in 2019. As I look back over my first full year at Storybook, I remember my first carpool to a prison visit when a volunteer said to me, “Oh, you’re going to love this! It’s the most beautiful mission, and the volunteers are amazing.” A truer statement could not be found. As I think back to the past year and on each person who makes Storybook such a special organization, I am honored to serve with you. Connecting a child to their incarcerated mother through the joy of literature –it is beautiful.

This year was a year of growth. We welcomed three new board members: Lisa Holleran, Ann Graham and Marty Loeber and we are thrilled they have joined us. We also added a third team leader to each prison team. As part of succession planning, this team leader will “know the ropes” and will be available to substitute when needed. Our new team leaders have energized our group, and their perspectives are refreshing. We welcomed new volunteers and supporters, and we’re glad to have you along!

The future is bright. We are fiscally sound and progressing toward our goals. We are actively working on our strategic plan. The need for our services is as strong as ever. Fully 80% of incarcerated women are mothers. We can and will make a difference in the future of the children of these mothers, helping them know they are loved and connected to their moms.

These pages are full of excitement and success which would not be possible without our amazing staff, volunteers, board members, supporters and community partners. I want to thank every one of you for your time, commitment, dedication and support over the last year. You are amazing, and I am proud to serve in this beautiful mission with each of you.

Sincerely,

Jill Gonzalez,Executive Director

Board of DirectorsJudith Dullnig | President

Women’s Storybook Project of Texas –

Founder

Nancy Botkin | Vice President &

Texas Department of Criminal Justice –

retired

Linda Cox, PhD | Secretary

Austin Community College

David Graham | Treasurer

Dow Chemical – retired

Ann Graham J.D.

Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Lisa Holleran PhD

St. Edward’s University

Marty Loeber J.D.

Valero

Jill González | Executive Director

Sun Connor | Operations Manager

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Impact

Moms recorded stories1,595

Books/Recordings were received by children

3,099

prisons were served through 98 program sessions

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Volunteer power makes it possible!

200 volunteers served nearly

600 shifts in prison (more than 5,000 hours)

helping mothers connect to their children.

We were happy to welcome

20new volunteers in 2019.

What you helped accomplish last year:

WSP celebrated the first year all Central Texas units were given the opportunity to participate in the URL/digital file sharing project.

sets of team leaders and 60 volunteers have been trained and began offering a URL as an option to send to a child instead of a CD.

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228mothers (14%) sent recordings to their children via URL in 2019 as units adopted the technology.

I would just like to say that Storybook is a blessing to my grandson. He loves getting the books. When he sees me going to the

mailbox and I bring the mail back into the house, he always asks me, “Gana, did my mom send me another book?” Whoever

came up with the Storybook project is a blessing. It helps my grandson hear his mothers voice and connect with his mom on a

level that no one can understand but my grandson and his mother. Thank you, a lot, for bringing this joy into my household.

– A caregiver from the Hilltop Unit

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Program Highlights

WSP became a project partner with the Austin Junior League for the first time in 2019. Five volunteers from the league began serving with us in late summer. We are pleased and proud to partner with JLA!

In May, Oprah magazine gave the Women’s Storybook Project a “High Five!” We were also featured in UT Alumni magazine, The Alcalde, in August as well as in articles in The Daily Texan and Texas Lifestyles magazines.

Storybook volunteers and supporters had the chance to purchase branded gear for the first time this year, thanks to volunteer Jamie Dickens and PrintGlobe. The WSP store fundraiser brought in just over $1,200 in July and November.

Three phenomenal interns worked with WSP last year on development, marketing and communications, and grant writing. It was a pleasure to host: Alli Paul from the U.T. Austin and Lauren Perry and Sarah Whalen from St. Edward's University.

In October, Besher Garcia received a Recognize Good Legend award for five years of book drives and all the love he has shown for the mission of Storybook Project.

Judith Dullnig received the KVUE Five Who Care Award in April for her years of dedication and work as founder of Women’s Storybook Project.

Board members from the Texas State Library and Archives presented Judith and Jill with a check and the State Literacy Award for Texas from the Library of Congress.

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Storybook impacts children and families far and wide. In 2019, we mailed books and recordings to children in 35 states, 118 counties in Texas and New South Wales.

I love this program. I was incarcerated and participated in this program twice. Once at San Saba and again at Hilltop Trustee

camp. It can be very hard to stay positive in there. Programs like these and volunteers like you all, remind us to keep our eye

on the prize and get back home to our babies. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Y'all are awesome!! Me & my Daughter

are grateful! She still has the books and CD's. When I got home, we reread them together!

– Veronica, via Facebook

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WSP Volunteer LeadershipJackquline Berner, Mona Carver, Jeri Saper | Technology

Emilie Crimmins and Jamie Dickens | Special Events

Dugie Graham | Program Manager

Susan Pekoe | Volunteer Scheduling

Paige Suffredini | Supply Manager

Scott Thompson | Accounting Support

Kim Weidmann | Inventory and Volunteer Management

Cynthia Winer and Cameron Wright | Volunteer Coordination

Prison Team Leadership

Margene Beckham, Vickie Blumhagen, Linda Carey,

Sandra Carey, Rhonda Chandler, Judy Darnell, Liz

Davis, Emily Dieringer, Kelly Finkel, Cathy Foster,

Ean Fulks, Megan Beth Hedgecock, Charlene

Ingram, Betsy McCraine, Meg McKeon, Lynne Riley,

Pat Roberts, Linda Robertson, Dawn Ruiz, Rhoda

Silverberg, Gina Springer-Shirley, Debra Taylor,

Laura Smith-Traverso, Crystal Wade, Carye West,

Pat Yeargain

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Volunteers were welcomed in November and December to the Barnes & Noble at Sunset Valley. Led by Emilie Crimmins, they led customers to donate over 1,300 books. Thank you, volunteers!

Many thanks to all who donated books from our Amazon wish list. These packages always contain wonderful surprises and are a joy to receive. The list is populated by requests from mothers and children.

Amplify Austin donors gave more than $15,000 and led the way for WSP to purchase new computers for each of the 9 prison teams. All teams also received an external CD drive and a usb hub. Thank you!

2019 Financials

REVENUE

EXPENDITURE

We are thrilled to welcome new friends and supporters to the mission!

At the Third Annual Storybook Luncheon, 17 new Reader’s Circle members pledged 3-year gifts, helping to secure the future of Storybook. Donor acknowledgements follow.

New grantors to WSP came on board. Welcome and thank you to: The Tocker Foundation, Austin Rotary Foundation, Austin Junior Forum, H.E.B. Tournament of Champions, and the Redman Foundation. Our grant income was: $47,275. All Grantors are listed in donor acknowledgements.

$275,065

$277,000

*The complete financial statements for Women’s Storybook Project can be obtained by requesting a copy at 512-861-5110 or emailing info@storybookproject.org

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Financial SupportersReader’s CirclePulitzer Partner

($5,000 for 3 years) Judith and Jon DullnigDugie and David GrahamKathleen and Dick HansonAnn McEldowney

“Best Seller” Partner

($2,500 for 3 years) Ellen and James BalthazarJudy DarnellAnn GrahamPaula Jackson

“Literary” Partner ($1,000 for 3 years)

Rene AlbeeTony and Phyllis BefiVickie and Guy BlumhagenMary Ellen and Roger BorgeltChristie BybeeAmber CardenClaudia ChidesterJulia ClarkDorothy Coates-PooleMartha CoonsLinda CoxRichard EganSandra and Larry FoxMary Nell FrucellaWilliam HudsonMeta HuntBrenda KeillorSusan KingMark and Anne McKinnonLinda MesserKaty MitchellDr. Anne Marie OlsenMargaret PayneKaren and Rex PreisMaya SmartSam and Melinda SparksKristi StanfordMichelle StrawnDr. Paige SuffrediniNancy WallaceDr. Eric and Kim Weidmann

Anne WeismanBrian and Ellen WoodPat and Bob YeargainRebecca Yohe

Genre ($10,000+)Martin LoeberRedman Foundation

Anthology ($5,000-$9,999)Grant Me the Wisdom

FoundationSt. Matthews Episcopal

Church and SchoolTocker FoundationTrull FoundationWestlake United Methodist

Church

Series ($2,500-$3,999)Austin Rotary FoundationECG FoundationFifth GenerationRyan GarciaGreen Door Foundation (St.

Luke's Episcopal Church and School)

H.E.B. Tournament of Champions

Paula JamesonJunior League of AustinBarbara OlsonRichard SaldivarBetty Woods

Book ($1,000-$2,499)Austin Junior ForumAustin Pi Beta Phi FoundationMargene BeckhamBurnet CISD Diva Dawgs and

Bulldog BrosCorrhealthDell Your CauseDavid and Sandra Carey David DoranHEB Tournament of

ChampionsKaren LangdonJames LindseyNikki Loftin and Dave Wilson

Mary LuckValerie MaurerMAW GalleryNorma McCauleyNetwork for GoodPan American Round Table of

AustinCarolyn PatrickRoy PothRecognizeGood: THE

FoundationSt. Thomas Episcopal ChurchTexas State Library and

Archives CommissionJill WilliamsMarilyn Wuensche

Chapter ($500–$999)Conduent FoundationNancy BotkinJennifer DeenKaren DonovanMarianne DormanExxonMobil FoundationFinkel Family Tzedakah FundBruce and Sharon GoldenPatsy GrahamKaren and Warren HaywardSean HudsonAnne JarvisSusan LandersAnn LaubachPaul LettowLisa McMinnMargaret Meek Charles PaulkPrintGlobe, LLCRobert ReichertSheryl Streder-BeckerSun City Texas Community

Association, Inc.Darryl TockerLisa Van CleefAdrienne Watt

Paragraph ($250–$499)Margaret AyresTrisha BridgesAnn BrodnaxMary Cooper

Fred DaschofskySaza DobieAnn DowningFaith Presbyterian ChurchGrace FlemingF. Lynwood Givens, Ph.D.Grace Episcopal Church

WomenSamuel and Marcy GreerJenny HasibiHeart Sing FoundationVan HoisingtonJulia Ann HolimanLaVerne JohnsonRobert Kieffer, Jr. Katrina KingApril MangumCharles and Dianne MangumMelissa Meeks KilianPolly MooreLinda MountainPatricia NewtonCory ParvenSusan PattersonMarie PeterekSusan RobertsonGene SandbachLaura SmithDavid SnowNancy SnyderSuzanne Stege, LPCSusan SteinJesse SteinfortAnn SurrattFalba TurnerUniversity of St. Augustine

for Health Sciences, Student Occupational Therapy

AssociationCrystal WadeWomen Helping OthersPaula Wong

All Other Gifts up to $249Donna AbramovDarcy AlbeeStacy AlexanderAudrey AlpersDebora AlsupKenneth Anderson

Thank you for sharing your time, talents, and treasures with WSP.

Gratitude

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Susan AnsorgeChandra AoueilleCylinda ArenoJulie AthansAustin Canyon CorporationJill BaconVlad BahrenguJordanna BailkinJames BaizeSerena BakerKathy BalsamoSandra BarbariLeighton BarclayJan BarnesCarol BarnesGregg BarnesCarol BarnesChris BartonAllison BatlinBarbara BeardsleyNancy BeardsleyJosh BeckhamBritt BehrensCorey and Misty BlahutaBluebonnet Hills Christian

ChurchKaren BluethmanJane BohlsMonique BoitnottAimee BostwickMelinda BoultonEllen BradleyIrene BransonDiane BrewerCharlotte Brigham ChurchShannon BrimmerElizabeth BrodheadDianne BroglieMelanie BrownHugh BrownCarrie Collier BrownEmily BuchananKaren CampbellPatty CantrellMona CarverCharles CarverBergan CaseyLaura CaskeyGeorge Cato

Grayson CecilCedar Park United Methodist

ChurchCenturyAngela CerritoEleanor ChaikindChapter AS PEOMary ClarkCari ClarkKatherine ClayLynn CohaganSun ConnorDouglas ConoverMcGee CookJames CoupalBarbara CoxMary CoxRenee CrabtreeCharles CresswellEllen CrimLouise CrookCypress United Methodist

ChurchClaire DansbyMartha DavisJanice DayMonica de LeonSuzanne DeaderickMaxie DeblancDarlene DentonAndrew DibalaJamie DickensLiz DieboldMary DietzCarol DochenDawnelle DoughtieStacy DunavanJean DurkeeCarolyn EasterLori EckertMary EdwardsEva EdwardsMark EhrlichDonna EllisDonna EmeryTC EnergyKimberly EngBeth J. FainJaelene FayheeDoug FlattRenee FleishmanPaula Fontaine-HaakeTammy Foster

Sue FredineLori FreedmanDeAnn FreidholmRachel FryBarbara FryDeanna FugerPatricia GallagherRori GallagherGamma Nu Chapter of Delta

Kappa GammaLisa GarabedianWes GarbeeLeslie GarciaCristela GarzaDonna GelfmanLynne GellmanSusan GetcherIngrid GillespieGive InLieu FoundationWayne GlanderJosephine GlassLinda GoldsmithSarah GomillionMelinda GomillionJill and Danny GonzalezSaudia GordonDionne GreenMarianne GreyerJoene GrissomBridget GrumetDiane GuccioneAnna HaddoxAminah HarrisSarah HarveyElizabeth HaugCindy HawksHeart of Texas Women's

Literati GroupMary HermesTina HesterLydia HewettBeth HeyerAlegria Hibbetts ArceAnn Marie HillierGene and Kathleen HolimanLisa HolleranTara E. HolleyHome Economists in Home

and CommunityJudith HowellShirley HoyerDelia HuffmanPenney Huggins

Janice HughesCorinne HughesMartha HunnBarbara HuntleyKelleye HutchinsonDeneitra HutchinsonLeslie IveySylvia JabourKimina JamisonJohn JenkinTerees JenkinsCarol JohnsonSkyler JohnsonChelsea JohnstonKellye JoinerLucy JoyceKay KaplanApril KeenenHaley KiethSuzon KempLinda KempChristy KennedyHeather KightJacqueline KingJennifer KingCourtney KinseyRae KohnPat KopychakSteven L KornJanet KrallMary KristynikBenjamin LamkinAnna LaneRobert LeeperPamela LeschberAubrey LethbridgeCatherine LewisKristi LewisLiza LewisBlair LilesBill LogginsVanessa LoweAllison Lukacssy-LoveKimberli ManleyPat MannKara ManzaJaney MarksAlice MarselCarol MartinBeth MartinezGail MassadJudy Matetzschk-CampbellJessica McCarron

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Marjorie McclurgTony McDowell, DDSRachel McInnesSarah McIntyreClyde McKeeCara Beth McLeodCrystal MeagherColleen MehnerLaura MiddelbergDoise MiersMary MilamLeland & Ingrid MillerStephanie MillerJill MillerShannon MillerGloria MillsLinda MizellMichelle MonroeWynona MontgomeryMorris MooreMillie MoranEliza MoreheadLaura MorrisonMothers of Boys Book ClubDabney MoxhamAnnemarie MuddCatherine MuthKirsten NelsonLucy NguyenSusan NilsenNivi NityanandBarbara NoblinLaura NovyErika NowlinLinda NoyJanice OettmeierElizabeth O'FarrellJoseph OrbeckSteven OsbornCarolyn OstromGeorge OswaldAnna PalmerPatrizia PapiMarna ParkerLaura PattersonGwen PauloskiMark PenickNina PersohnLisa Kay Pfannestiel

Jennifer PiletteCindy PintoRebecca PirkleShirley PokorkeyKaren PopePreceptor Delta Xi of Beta

Sigma PhiSuzette PriceJoyce PulichAlecia RauchMary RehmBarbara ReillyKay ResterMary ReynoldsCaroline RichardsonDale RicklefsPatsy RiderMary RiggsJulia RileyAnne RiouxPat RobertsDonna RobinsonDawn RobinsonAnissa RodriguezPatti RoseDeanna RosencrantzKali RourkeDawn RuizSantamaria & Asociates, LLCJeri SaperCynthia SarlesStephanie SavageRobert and Judith SchachnerJudith ScholesCatherine SchomakerKimberly SchuhJean SchulerJan ScottTillman SegalJennie SeidelEmily SharpMichael and Melissa ShawKatharine SheildsAndrea Shirley-BrownBecca SiegelRosana SielaffAmazon SmileCheryl SmithersGeoffrey SparksDrucilla SparksSt. Andrew's Episcopal SchoolSt. Mark's United Methodist

Women

Carlotta StankiewiczCarol StansburyJan StephensCynthia StoutAlvin A. and Marion S. StrederElizabeth SullivanGail SwisherElizabeth TaaffeTiffanny TanVirginia TannebringPamela TarajcakLaura ThomasSusan ThomasAmber ThompsonLee Ann ThorntonTiff's Treats, INC. Susan TrammelMartin TurnerSherilyn UnderwoodDeborah UnderwoodLinda Van BavelDale Van SickelJan Van der LeestJoanna VaughnShereen VinkeCaroline VivianoCatherine WaggonerLisa WagnerJohn WardKaethe WardStacy WarnerCatherine WarrenNancy WatkinsCarol WattsGail WeatherbyMargaret WebbAnna WebbSarah WeirTracy WestonKat WetzelLyn WhitcombDale WhiteTina WilliamsAndrea WilliamsMark WilliamsWiner Charitable FundWomen's Club of Baytown

TexasPamela WoodGina WoodruffCameron WrightCathy WursterYourCause Corporate

Employee Giving ProgramsNikki Zimmerman

In-Kind DonorsDana AbrahamJessica AndersonAnonymousAustin Trail of Lights

FoundationBarbara Bush Literacy

FoundationBarnes and NobleMatt BarrChris BartonBaytown Book DriveBookSpringOlivia Candela's Bunco GroupCari ClarkJamie DickensDiva Dawgs/Bulldog BrosFreeThink MediaBesher GarciaJanie GentilConcetta GleasonGrace Episcopal ChurchDugie GrahamSean and Jeanine HudsonHutto High SchoolMandy KellyKat KronenbergLake Austin City Park Book

ClubLiteratiNikki LoftinGina LunsfordShannon MehnerOlivia MorenoMothers of Boys Book Club Carolyn PatrickPEO ChapterRandall'sDivya SrinivasanSt. George's Episcopal ChurchStarbuck'sLaura SummerhillJulia TaylorTiff's TreatsUma ThangarajU.T. Austin Surplus PropertiesTrader Joe'sThe Woodlands Christian

Academy Library

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What is Storybook like? Storybook is like having a visit. When we come to the Storybook Project, it is like having a visit with your family. Y’all come in. We speak about our last time together, about our kids, or tell a funny story – maybe two. We release and receive just as we would in a visitation setting and it is a very authentic and beautiful exchange. At the end of choosing our books and reading to my 10,9 and 8-year-old children we meet back together again in a circle. It can be emotional, or just a feeling of contentedness, but whatever the feeling, it all resembles a visit. So, I present myself as such. I dress my best, comb my hair, do my make up once a month to visit with people who have the same goal as I do, success for my children and unity. Thank you so much!

- incarcerated mother

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With Special Thanks to these Major Donors!

ECG FOUNDATION

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5524 Bee Caves Road, Building MAustin, TX 78746

512-861-5110info@storybookproject.org

www.storybookproject.org

You Can Be Part of the Story!

• Sign up as a volunteer to go to prison.

• Volunteer to place url labels or mail packages.

• Assist with basic business needs: marketing, donations of office supplies, equipment.

• Host an Open Book Party or Book Drive to tell your friends about WSP.

• Invite Judith or Jill to speak to your club or group.

• Become a donor.

• Follow us on social media.