Gordon Philanthropies provides books to the Center for Child Well-Being’s Empathy through Literature Project in support of children with parents who are incarcerated.

According to ASU’s Center for Child Well-Being, “of the approximate 2.7 million children in the United States with a parent who is incarcerated, almost 100,000 are right here in Arizona.” That’s 100,000 children whose lives have been impacted by the incarceration of a loved one. Shocked by these numbers, Arizona State University was inspired to launch the Empathy through Literature Project. Since its launch in 2021, ASU’s Center of for Child Well-Being has provided books to 70 visit rooms in prisons and social services agencies across Arizona, including the Thwajik Ke Treatment Center, which teaches parenting to formerly incarcerated Indigenous parents, to name a few.

With nearly 2.7 million children being affected by the incarceration of a loved ones, programs such as these are needed now more than ever. Besides the children’s lives being shattered, just imagine adding the veil of shame many children experience due to the stigma surrounding parent incarceration. Without an outlet to talk about their sadness, confusion, and grief children are obliged to carry these burdens most of the time in secrecy. Aware of the societal perceptions regarding incarceration, the Empathy through Literature Project provides books that openly address the feelings of stigma and shame, such as An Uninterrupted View of the Sky, A Terrible Thing Happened, Visiting Day, amongst other books that relate to children with parents who are incarcerated.

In an interview conducted by Program Director Sylvia Beanes with a family whose dad is serving time in a California state penitentiary she shared, “The son said, ‘No one in my school knows that my dad is behind bars. No one knows.’” With tears welling up in his eyes, the pain in this young boy’s heart is evident. Although his dad has been incarcerated for seven years, the agony of being separated from his father feels just as it it were yesterday.

Gordon Philanthropies, a literacy-based foundation, has expanded its services to include children who are often forgotten by society. In hearing heartbreaking stories such as these, Program Director Sylvia Beanes knew that Gordon Philanthropies had to help. And as part of Gordon Philanthropies commitment to providing books to all children in areas of need, the organization has donated numerous books to ASU’s Empathy through Literature Project.

Associate Director of Academic Affairs Judy Krysik, said, “Please know that Gordon Philanthropies donation is helping to alleviate the guilt, shame, and stigma of thousands of children, and their parents and caregivers, many of whom are poor and minorities.”

In addition to the partnership with ASU, Gordon Philanthropies is also working in collaboration with the public defender’s office in Maricopa County supplying their offices with free books for children as their parents prepare for a court hearing. Demarse shared, “We are placing books in our office that children can read while waiting during meetings, and we allow clients and their families to take home to read with their children to prepare them for the current or upcoming incarceration of a loved one.”