Women's Storybook Project of Texas

Women's Storybook Project of Texas Connecting children with their incarcerated mothers through the joy of literature. www.storybookproject.org

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Mother's Advisory Committee Spotlight On May 31, we gathered with members of our Mother’s Advisory Committee, created in...
06/10/2026

Mother's Advisory Committee Spotlight

On May 31, we gathered with members of our Mother’s Advisory Committee, created in partnership with Lioness Justice Impacted Women's Alliance.

These amazing mothers shared their experiences with our Storybook@Home program, spoke openly about the challenges of motherhood during and after incarceration, and helped us think about how we can better serve families in the future.

Their voices, insights, and lived experiences are helping shape the next chapter of Women's Storybook Project.

Thank you to every mother who joined us and shared her story.

06/03/2026

✨ San Antonio, you showed up — and we are so grateful. ✨

Our 2026 San Antonio Luncheon was an afternoon we will not soon forget, and it wouldn't have been possible without every single person who attended, gave, volunteered, and believed in this mission.

A special thank you to the Witte Museum for providing such a stunning and meaningful setting for an evening dedicated to family, story, and connection.

To our donors — new and returning — your generosity is what makes this work possible. To our volunteers, thank you for giving your time so freely. And to everyone in that room: you are part of something that reaches far beyond those walls.

The San Antonio community has shown WSP so much love, and we are deeply grateful.

More to come — stay tuned! 🎉

WSP Book Club is next week — and you won't want to miss. For our next meeting, we'll be discussing The Garden of Second ...
06/03/2026

WSP Book Club is next week — and you won't want to miss.

For our next meeting, we'll be discussing The Garden of Second Chances by Mona Alvarado Frazier — a powerful novel drawn from the author's three decades of working with incarcerated youth.

The story follows Juana, an undocumented teen mother serving time for murdering her abusive husband. She navigates the prison system, gang dynamics, and the heartbreak of separation from her daughter — all while fighting to keep her sister from crossing into the U.S. with her infant child.

In the midst of so much hardship, Juana finds healing in an unexpected place: a thriving garden she builds from the discarded grounds of the prison yard.

This book speaks directly to the heart of WSP's mission — the power of peace, connection, and healing for incarcerated mothers. We can't wait to explore how this story connects to the work we do every day.

🗓️ RSVP now and join the conversation:
👉 linktr.ee/womensstorybookprojecttx

💛 Volunteer Appreciation 💛Our volunteers are the heart of Women’s Storybook Project of Texas.Pictured during a recent pr...
05/30/2026

💛 Volunteer Appreciation 💛

Our volunteers are the heart of Women’s Storybook Project of Texas.

Pictured during a recent prison visit are WHO volunteers (L to R): Antonia A., Amaya T., Marley H., and Miltonette C.

Each visit helps create meaningful connections between incarcerated mothers and their children through the power of stories, books, and a parent's voice. We're grateful for the time, compassion, and dedication our volunteers bring to this work every day.

Thank you for helping families stay connected, one story at a time.

😁

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Team Leader, Cathy McHorse. We know that this loss will...
05/28/2026

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Team Leader, Cathy McHorse.

We know that this loss will be felt deeply across not only the Women's Storybook Project, but also the greater Austin community. Cathy's care, compassion, and advocacy work will continue to live on. She spent so much of her life pouring into those around her. She will be greatly missed by so many.

Beyond her care for our community, Cathy's love for her family fueled all that she did. She was so proud of all of her children and was beyond excited to welcome her first grandchild into their family recently. She was always so eager to share their milestones and successes with us. We offer our deepest condolences to her husband, Ed, and their three children.

To all of you who knew and loved Cathy, we are extending our love to you as well. Cathy's celebration of life is expected to take place on June 6th at 2pm at the Junior League of Austin's Community Impact Center, another organization she was involved with for many years. When we have more details on the time of the celebration of life, we will share them with you all.

✨ Intern Spotlight: Rebeca Valdez ✨“One mom shared that when she gets the 60-second warning before her call ends, she an...
05/28/2026

✨ Intern Spotlight: Rebeca Valdez ✨

“One mom shared that when she gets the 60-second warning before her call ends, she and her child say ‘I love you’ over and over until they can’t anymore.”

For Rebeca, moments like these are what make volunteering with Women’s Storybook Project so meaningful. From helping prepare book packages to witnessing the care moms put into every story and handwritten note, she says the experience “kind of feels like being the tooth fairy.”

Thank you, Rebeca, for the compassion and heart you bring to this work and to the families we serve.

Last week, we met with Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and Windham School District representatives Jennifer ...
05/11/2026

Last week, we met with Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and Windham School District representatives Jennifer Smock and Tiffany Steele to discuss an exciting new pilot program focused on strengthening the connection between incarcerated mothers and their children.

The pilot would test the use of Toniebox audio figurines with a small group of families, giving children a new way to listen to stories recorded by their mothers.

Over the next several months, we’ll explore how this technology can help make storytelling even more interactive, comforting, and accessible for families.

No matter the format, the goal remains the same: helping children stay connected through the sound of a parent’s voice.

Pictured L–R: Jennifer Smock, Tiffany Steele, Sun Connor, and Jill Gonzalez.

𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 — 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞!Join us in San Antonio for an afternoon of connection and impact at📍 The Witte MuseumWe’re curr...
04/28/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 — 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞!

Join us in San Antonio for an afternoon of connection and impact at
📍 The Witte Museum

We’re currently seeking Table Hosts and volunteers to help bring this event to life.

Hosting a table is easy—and meaningful. You’ll gather your community and help share a mission that keeps families connected through storytelling.

Message us to learn more or get involved.

04/27/2026

“Hi, I’m Rhonda—and I’ve been volunteering for months now.
And every single time, I’m amazed by each of you.

You might not hear the love in your voice… but I do.
And if I can hear it, your kids will too.

What you’re recording isn’t just a story—
it’s love.”

This is what dedication looks like. 🚗📦Programs Manager Hadley and intern Rebeca Valdez are out here doing the most — and...
04/25/2026

This is what dedication looks like. 🚗📦

Programs Manager Hadley and intern Rebeca Valdez are out here doing the most — and we mean that literally. One car. Over 40 packages headed to USPS for caregivers and children, 100+ books bound for Houston-area units, essential supplies, and 13 graduation bags ready to go.

As Hadley put it: "Luckily it's too close to the end of Rebeca's internship for her to quit on me." 😄

Rebeca, your dedication this semester has meant more than you know. Thank you for showing up — all the way to the very last mile.

This is WSP in action.

The University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at Austin

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500 East St. John's Avenue, 2nd Floor, Suite 2. 800
Austin, TX
78752

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+15128615110

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