Introducing
The Partakers Reading Circle
Welcome to the Partakers Reading Circle!
For over 25 years Partakers has fostered vital and essential mentoring relationships between community members and incarcerated students who are working to obtain degrees and further their educational experiences.
Throughout the pandemic, our Mentors were not allowed inside and correspondence became the only connections for our students. For our mentoring community, the inability to visit was difficult as well and the concerns about their students’ well-being were palpable. During this time we heard from so many students about how important letters from their Mentors were and how more than ever, books and reading were a critical outlet during those isolating and dark days.
For those living inside, books are more than a vehicle for their education, they are also an escape from day-to-day prison life, transporting them to other worlds and providing a chance to open their minds to new experiences and ideas. Reading can of course build skills, but it can also spark important conversations and healthy debate. For all readers, books provide an introduction to the lives and experiences of others. When the reading experience is shared, books become a common connection, opening critical thought and imagination while building community, empathy, and compassion.
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The Reading Circle is in fact a “book club” and is based on Partakers College Behind Bars Mentoring model in which teams of volunteers are paired with a student inside.
As at this time those inside do not have full internet access, the book club experience will be done by postal correspondence and/or when available email correspondence.
This unique program also grew from the demand and requests we have received from so many who would like to be a part of the Partakers community but whose schedules are limited or are not able to participate in our College Behind Bars program to visit and mentor inside in person.
Through the Reading Circle teams from diverse communities, faith-based organizations, corporations and workplaces, senior living communities, colleges and universities, and community action organizations can become a part of the Partakers essential mentor space.
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Partakers will organize Reading Circle Teams comprised of members of our Mentor community paired with Inside Readers who have submitted an application of interest.
Teams will be put together on a first come first serve basis and we will work to align reading interests as we form Reading Circles.
One Inside Reader will be partnered with a Team with no more than 3 members.
Inside Readers can select the book to be read with their team or choose a title together with the members of their Reading Circle.
Partakers will purchase books for each Reading Circle member, and our partners at Prison Book Program will mail a copy to Inside Readers.
Outside Reading Circle team members will meet either in-person or virtually on a regular basis. Team members will appoint one team member to act as the group’s main organizer and to be the point of essential group correspondence with their Inside Reader Circle Member- to answer questions, record discussions, and mail important information.
Reading Circle members will write letters to each other about the book, engaging in discussion and conversation for each chapter/section of the book. Correspondence will be done through the email system when available or by snail mail. Please note: Snail mail correspondence from inside filters through the Partakers office so mail delays may occur. Inside Readers will be corresponding with all team members but one one member of the Team will take the lead sending each section's discussion topics and questions to their Inside Reader Circle Member to respond to. All team members are encouraged to correspond with their Inside Reader Circle Member to build vital relationships. Correspondence between team members and Inside Readers is important and is encouraged, as letters from outside are lifelines and essential to strengthening bonds.
When available the Reading Circle may choose to use Existing Reader Guides as springboards to discussion or create their own topics/questions.
Reading Circles may read at their own pace. We suggest 6-8 weeks per book. Partakers will check in halfway through.
At the end of the book Team members may opt to continue on to a new book and keep the Reading Circle group going. At the end of each book cycle, all Circle members will be asked to evaluate their experience and provide a brief summary of the impact of the reading experience.
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There is no cost to becoming involved in The Reading Circle. Partakers will supply the books to all team members. Donations of the books to the Prison Book Program after the conclusion of a book round are encouraged, and of course, Partakers always welcomes your kind financial support to help us grow our reach and our work.
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We welcome all who love reading want to share a reading experience with folks inside.
You may form Reading Circle teams from your organization, company, community, and we can also coordinate teams of individuals who are not affiliated with any one organization and match teams with one of our Inside Readers.
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To become involved with the Partakers Reading Program please complete the form below. We will be in touch with information and an invitation to a brief online introduction and training event.
