Help me continue to correspond with those incarcerated.

I correspond with people who are incarcerated throughout Wisconsin and other prisons across the country. Additionally, I advocate for and write to individuals who are homeless in county jail. Unfortunately, an organization that had agreed to let me use their P.O. Box has been inconsistent and unresponsive. This has resulted in missed opportunities to advocate for homeless individuals in court, wasted precious call time for incarcerated individuals, and hindered my ability to plan visits with people who are forgotten and alone.

To maintain these vital connections, I need my own P.O. Box, which costs $182 annually for the smallest size. Any additional funds will be used for stamps. People who are incarcerated have told me that my birthday and holiday cards are often the only ones they receive. They’ve shared their traumas with me, feeling comfortable enough to open up. We exchange poetry, book excerpts, and music lists. Incarcerated folks have called to tell me that my support keeps their hopes alive during tough times. I believe hope is both a noun and a verb, and I strive to embody both for those I correspond with.

Please, help me maintain connections with people who often have no other support. Thank you! :)