Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) Will Join Millions Around the World in Celebrating GivingTuesday on November 29, A Global Day of Generosity
This year, OCPM is hosting a special campaign for its new ministry program, Storybook Connections, which helps families torn apart by the U.S. prison system stay connected through the power of literature, letting children hear a story in the voice of his or her own parent behind bars.
How does it work? Church volunteers bring children’s books and voice recorders into a prison near them and visit with incarcerated parents. Parents choose a storybook their children would enjoy, and the church volunteers record them reading the story aloud. Finally, the storybook with the recording is mailed to the children so they can hear their father’s or mother’s voice and know that they are loved and missed.
“People are already getting excited about this ministry,” says Luke Taylor Gilstrap, Annual Giving Manager at OCPM. “A friend from my parish called as soon as we announced it, holding back her tears. I feel the exact same way. OCPM has always supported the families of those incarcerated, but now people are going to be more aware of just how far we’ll go to keep families together. This is important work.”
A generous donor has offered to match donations up to $15,000 toward the organization’s final $30,000 goal. In the meantime, OCPM is currently seeking GivingTuesday ambassadors to help spread the word about the new ministry and encourage others to participate on November 29. If you are interested in becoming a GivingTuesday ambassador for OCPM and Storybook Connections, please contact communications@theocpm.org.
Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) is an agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States. For Orthodox Christians who have been arrested for crimes, OCPM helps them return to the Faith, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with Christ. For both Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike, OCPM provides spiritual care, enabling prisoners to find hope and purpose in their lives. For more information, please visit www.theocpm.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @theocpm.