Healing Through Story Time
Read Away nurtures emotional health and helps children grow into resilient adults.
When a parent is incarcerated, children often carry the weight in silence. Some 2.7 million children in the U.S. currently have a parent in jail. One in every 13 children in Maine has experienced this separation. The ripple effects can be profound: lost connection, chronic stress, and deep emotional strain.
That’s where United Way of Southern Maine steps in. Through Read Away, they’re helping children stay connected to their mothers by bridging the distance with story, voice, and love—because emotionally healthy kids are the foundation of resilient communities.
How It Works:
- At the Maine Correctional Center and the Southern Maine Women’s Reentry Center, moms record themselves reading children’s books aloud. “It feels really good to do it,” says Nina Misra, United Way’s Senior Manager of Healthy Community. “It’s a moment of warmth and connection—sometimes the only one they get to share that month.”
- United Way staff and volunteers package the book, a secure video link, and themed educational materials—like art supplies—into a special delivery that goes directly to the child.
- Moms and kids are given an opportunity to thrive despite their circumstances. One correctional center caseworker shared, “The residents love this program. They look forward to it every month.” And for many kids, it’s the closest thing to a hug they’ve felt in a long time.
Why It Matters:
Parental incarceration is what experts call an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), which has long-term harm. Without connection, kids can feel isolated, fall behind in school, and carry emotional wounds well into adulthood. Read Away helps mitigate that harm—keeping children grounded in love while helping mothers stay present as parents.
Read Away is one part of United Way’s strategy to build healthier communities by supporting the emotional well-being of children and families. So far, 31 participating mothers have recorded 46 personalized videos, logging 102 minutes of shared story time with their kids, because love doesn’t end at the prison gate.