I had the good fortune to work with a group of fathers in South Dakota this summer. These fathers volunteered to participate in a research study sponsored by Texas Tech University and the Family and Consumer Sciences Education program. My research focuses on incarcerated people and how to keep them connected with their families and children. Literacy has been a way I connect with my children, and I carry that joy into my research. This summer, we helped some fathers stay connected by recording them reading to their children and then sending those books out to the children, so they can hear their father read to them through a link to a google classroom. Projects like this are challenging without the help and support of other stakeholders. In this case, the South Dakota Department of Corrections and REACH Literacy played a huge role in bringing these fathers closer to their children through a form of bibliotherapy. - Kyle L. Roberson, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor Texas Tech University
Working with Texas Tech and a group of incarcerated men from the South Dakota State Penitentiary proved valuable to both myself and the study participants. Identities were forged in fatherhood, the value of connecting with their children through literacy, and a comradery that was unique and noticeable. REACH Literacy provided quality books with an array of reading levels and content, which the children participating in the study looked forward to receiving every month. Forming partnerships with outside agencies like REACH Literacy is crucial to providing meaningful, impactful opportunities to help men better themselves and their relationships with family. It was an honor to facilitate the opportunity for these men to connect with their children, and the people caring for them in their communities, while fostering a love of literacy for their children. Telly Mikel - South Dakota State Penitentiary
