Introducing Family Stories

For the last few months, Companions staff has been collaborating with Psychologist Dr. Brian Ragsdale, Dr. Tom Lyons (Companions Board Member) and Researcher at University of Illinois, Ms. Claudia Pavon, child care educator and the Director of El Valor, Mr. Vince Alocco, in developing a new program called Family Stories. Our initial dream was to send a brand new book every month to every child in Illinois that has a parent in prison.

While that dream is not attainable at this time, we are planning on sending a new book each month to the children of 100 women at Dwight Correctional Center. This program will enable us to serve more families and encourage children to develop a library and report back to Companions and their mom about the books that they read. It is our hope that we will be able to track the literacy development of these children as we send them all kinds of literacy support and fun ideas to keep reading exciting.

Joyce Dempsky - Volunteer of the Year

Our Board of Directors has established an annual Volunteer of the Year award and is very pleased to announce that our first honoree is Joyce Dempsky. When Joyce first learned of us in the early 1990’s, something about our work spoke to her heart. In the years since, she has never stopped working to promote our work, to invite more people to get involved, and to organize projects at her church, St. Alexander’s in Villa Park.
Under her guidance, this church has been involved in our book drives; Pamper Yourself Kits; Christmas and Mother’s Day Projects. For the last seven years, Joyce has gathered her friends and fellow parishioners at the church to help us stuff, fold and label JourneyNotes in preparation for mailing. Joyce is one very special woman whose love of Jesus drives her to do many great things. We are so grateful that she is using her energy to help us with our projects.