Gordon Philanthropies Celebrates Read to Your Child Day with Mothers at the California Institution for Women (CIW).
It was a wonderful Saturday with the mountains draped in snow overlooking the city of Chino, as staff from Gordon Philanthropies and CIW unloaded books and baked goods. It was a beautiful day to Read To Your Child Day at CIW, a correctional facility in Chino. Gordon Philanthropies and the great staff from CIW joined forces to celebrate mothers and children bonding with a book in hand during the visitation with their moms. The event featured colorful bags filled with books for children to take back to their homes.
Children with parents who are incarcerated struggle academically due to many factors, such as moving to a new residence, a new school, and feeling the loss of a parent at home. According to the National Institute of Justice, “a parent’s incarceration poses several threats to a child’s emotional, physical, and educational and financial well-being. Without support, children of incarcerated parents have poor outcomes, are vulnerable to developing behavioral health challenges, and have shorter life expectancies.”
This is why events that support a love for reading are important for children who visit their loved ones. Children who fall in love with books will find it easier to keep up academically. The event gifted the children four new books to enjoy and take back to their homes after the time spent reading with their mothers. The celebration of Read To Your Child Day would not have been possible without the leadership of Warden Delinia Lewis (A) and Carmen Jimenez who were instrumental in organizing a fun day for all. Gordon Philanthropies is grateful for the opportunity to come together with CDCR staff to provide meaningful events such as this for the children.