The Wichita Small Grants Committee approved a $250 grant to the Literate Ladies Book Club to purchase books for the Juvenile Detention Facility (JDF) in Wichita, KS. Over 200 books were provided and local bookstores gave a discount because of the association with the Adorers. Sister Diana Rawlings has been a 15-year member of a Wichita book club known as The Literate Ladies. Each Christmas the club chooses an organization for their Christmas book giveaway that would benefit from the gift of books. At times when a school was selected, the gift included a student having their own personal book.
The Juvenile Detention Facility (JDF) has in custody about 150 children, boys and girls ages 10 to 17, per month. They enjoy books to take back to their cells, and our understanding is that there is a real need for books.
One member whose daughter works at JDF said, “The kids love the chance to read and have books in their cells. They go twice a week to the library. Paperback books (new and gently used) are best; hardbacks can be used as weapons or to pick locks (who knew)! Some do have reading challenges so nature/animal/ science books with good pictures would be good, too.”
The Adorers have had a long history with ministering to the incarcerated and their families. This particular project is another expression for that ministry.
“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” —Frederick Douglass
The Adorers, along with the book club, will be publically recognized on Feb 9th at the Wichita City Council meeting for this donation.
