

The Issue
Oklahoma has the highest rate of incarcerated mothers and fathers, which has devastating effects on children and youth
This means that tens of thousands of children go months or years without one or both of their parents, which creates problems including anxiety, depression, loss of interest in school and more.
Our Goal
Breaking the cycle of incarceration one child at a time

Boosting Literacy

Building Confidence

Bonding Families
The OK Messages Project takes trained volunteer teams into prisons to coach and film incarcerated parents reading a book to their child and sharing a positive message. We mail the book and DVD of the parent reading the story to approximately 1,000 children before Christmas and 1,000 children for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
As children get to see and hear their parents sharing positive messages like “I love you, and I’m proud of you” through OK Messages DVDs, it helps them see themselves in a positive way, and they know that their parents are safe and love them.
The Impact
The OK Messages Project Works

– Oklahoma teenager
%
of children had less depression and sadness
%
of children showed improvement in reading
%
of children had higher self-esteem
Get Involved
Ways You Can Help
With your help, we can improve the lives of children of incarcerated parents through shared reading.

Donate a Book
At OK Messages, we are always in need of new books for the children. You can purchase a book on Amazon Smiles and have a book sent directly to us.

Become a Volunteer
We couldn’t accomplish what we have without our volunteers. Help us continue to make a difference in children’s lives. Become a part of our incredible team.
Help the OK Messages Project Change Lives
Contribute Today!
Keeping a child connected with their incarcerated parent or parents is a tall order, but with your help, we can continue to make it possible. Any amount helps.

$10
it only takes $10 to buy a book
$50
it only takes $50 to buy 5 books
$150
it only takes $150 to sponsor a child for one year