- Staying in Closer Touch
- Posts
- A FEW WORDS (No.2)
A FEW WORDS (No.2)
Keeping you informed about SICT
We’ve moved!
On June 1 we packed our books, mailing envelopes and other office supplies and moved into a lovely space at 2275 Platt Road. It is within the Vineyard Church, and they gave us a thoughtful rate on space. It is perfect home for us.
 | We now have a cozy corner |
Feeling Thankful for |  |
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor awarded SICT a grant to support the mailing of books and start-up status at our new location. We have received $5,000 for this year through the end of May 2025. We are proud to have received this because, although the program has been around for years, the non-profit organization is new as of 2023. The comments received noted that we have gotten a great deal accomplished—bylaws, handbooks, board recruitment, bank account, a website, social media accounts and volunteer engagement.
Book Donations
Another generous gift has come from Rx for Reading Detroit with the donation of 400+ books that the moms at Huron Valley have been raving about. Many of the women are coming to read for the second or third time and notice the great selection. From board books for babies to young adult works, we have something for almost everyone. And, speaking of book donations, SICT board member, volunteer and children’s book author, Deb Pilutti recently released a new book, The Dinosaur in the Garden, and gave several copies to SICT. |  |
“My girls listen to me read almost every night and they love it. They say it makes them feel like I'm still there to tuck them in and they love hearing my voice. Thank you for bridging the gap from here to home! We appreciate this program more than you will ever know!”
 We are pleased to report a new board member and volunteers will be joining our organization. Josie Parker, retired director of the Ann Arbor District Library, has joined the board of SICT. Talk about someone who knows her books and the community! She bring many, many skills to the board. We welcome her expertise. | Carol Sherry was active years ago and has rejoined to help process the recordings and mailing of books. A big and essential job. Carleigh Murray is updating our data files so that we have up-to-the-minute information on the number of readers, the number of children read to and their ages, where in the state we send books, and what books are read. This gives us important data for grants, as well as information about the popularity of titles. She will also become one of our prison visitors. To find out more about volunteering opportunities, check our website. |
Look for us at AADL Bookfest November 3!
SICT will have a table at the Ann Arbor District Library Bookfest. This event hosts booksellers, publishers and authors and offers opportunities for nonprofits throughout Washtenaw County to introduce themselves to the community, tell their story and recruit volunteers.
How You Can Help
Get involved
We have many positions for both direct work in the incarceration facilities and with administrative support to programs. The latter you can do right from your couch (with a laptop). Go to stayinginclosertouch.org/ and fill out the volunteer form. While we always need prison visitors, our greatest need currently is for data tracking and recorders.
Donate
Visit https://stayinginclosertouch.org/support-donate/ and make a gift to help build the resources of our programs
Visit our Wishlist
Our Amazon Wish List is one way to help.
In a book group?
Encourage the members of your book group to donate funds for books.
Let your faith community know about our work
This is a terrific resource of caring people who can contribute funds and/or volunteer