A Book, A Voice, A Bridge | Lincoln News

0:00It's September 8th. Welcome in. This is Lincoln News Today, where local news meets AI. I'm Cory with the story. For 35 years, one woman has been using children's books to bridge the gap between incarcerated parents and their kids. The program, called Read Me a Story, lets parents record themselves reading a book, which is then sent to their child along with a recording. This simple act helps maintain a vital connection, reminding both the parent and child of their bond. The founder, Rebecca Smith, started this initiative solo, initially using cassette tapes. Over time, the technology has advanced, moving from CDs to digital recordings that can be emailed. This evolution, along with the help of volunteers, has allowed the program to expand its reach significantly. The impact of these shared stories is profound. It's not just about the child hearing a familiar voice. It can also be a powerful experience for the parent, highlighting the importance of that. Connection. Smith shared a touching

1:01story about a group of incarcerated men singing Happy Birthday to a child, a moment that brought everyone to tears and underscored the humanity of the participants. While the exact number of books and recordings sent out is no longer tracked, it's certainly in the thousands, reaching families across the country, and even internationally, Smith hopes to see the program established in every county in Nebraska and is actively seeking more volunteers to help achieve this goal. Ultimately, read me a story serves as a reminder that incarcerated individuals are still parents, deserving of connection and the chance to show. Their children they care. It's about more than just reading. It's about love, presence, and the enduring power of family, even from behind bars.