Gordon Philanthropies Commemorates Father’s Day with Annual Audiobook Recording Event at Men’s Central Jail.

Thanks to the ongoing collaboration with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Gordon Philanthropies held their annual Sent with Love Audiobook Recording Event for Children of Incarcerated Parents, this year celebrating Father’s Day at Men’s Central and Twin Towers Jail. The event, which has become a yearly tradition, allowed incarcerated fathers to participate in the celebration while being far from home. This year’s chosen book, You Are Fantastic, by Sabrina Moyle, was sent to the children along with a recording of their father’s voice reading, in addition to a personal handwritten letter.

Head of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Robert Luna says, “As a father, the thought of being separated from my children is unbearable. Unfortunately, that is the reality for thousands of incarcerated fathers who do not have the opportunity to spend time with their children. In partnership with Gordon Philanthropies, we now give incarcerated fathers a rare gift – the chance to record their voices and connect with their children through an audiobook program.”

Nearly 2.7 million children have one incarcerated parent, making them the “hidden victims” of incarceration. Challenged by their lack of opportunities to fulfill their parental duties, incarcerated fathers encounter numerous obstacles that impede the cultivation of healthy parent-child relationships. Research has demonstrated that when a child is raised in a father-absent home, this may lead to the development of a series of detrimental effects including, a greater risk of poverty, increased behavioral problems, and academic failure which can eventually lead to school dropout.

“Through the simple act of reading to a child, parents can inspire a lifelong love of learning while creating a deep and meaningful bond with their child. This experience fosters imagination, wonder, and a sense of adventure, paving the way for a future filled with familial love and love for reading,” shares Sylvia Beanes, Executive Director of Gordon Philanthropies.

Created by Gordon Philanthropies and made possible with the support of LASD and volunteers, the Sent with Love Project is a heartwarming annual event that permits incarcerated parents to record their voices as they read for their children. By doing so, they are creating a precious gift that will last a lifetime – the opportunity for their children to hear their loving voices over and over again. This not only sparks a passion for reading but also strengthens the bond between parent and child, helping bridge the gap between parent-child separation.