The Official BCFI Newsletter
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Archive of Impact
The following past newsletters provide a transparent view of our operations, including the tangible outcomes of community support. We invite you to explore these past editions to see the direct connection between your contributions and the personal growth of book club members.
Issue # 8
Newsletter 8: July 2025
The July 2025 issue of the Book Clubs for Inmates newsletter highlights the annual Donor Appreciation Event at WeirFoulds LLP, featuring inspiring talks by former book club members Emily O’Brien and Sarah Tessier on resilience and reintegration. Acclaimed author Ian Brown delivered a heartfelt toast to the organization’s 155 volunteers, sharing profound insights from his recent visit to Warkworth Institution.
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Issue # 7
Newsletter 7: March 2025
The March 2025 newsletter highlights impactful author visits by Jane Urquhart, Minelle Mahtani, and others, who shared moving literary discussions with inmates. Celebrating Black History Month, the program fostered deep connections regarding redemption and identity. Additionally, the organization welcomed three new board members and featured a poignant volunteer tribute from an incarcerated parent.
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Issue # 6
Newsletter 6: October 2024
The October 2024 issue of the Book Clubs for Inmates newsletter highlights a successful month of community engagement and advocacy. Key events included a donor appreciation evening with renowned authors, a Japanese delegation’s visit to the Grand Valley Institution, and a successful presence at the Word on the Street festival. The organization also sponsored literary talks and celebrated author Lawrence Hill’s visit to the Nova Institution.
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Issue # 5
Newsletter 5: June 2024
The June 2024 issue of the Book Clubs for Inmates newsletter features filmmaker Sarah Polley’s impactful visit to Grand Valley Institution for Women to discuss her book, Run Towards the Danger. It highlights upcoming observances, including National Indigenous Peoples Day and Nelson Mandela Day. Additionally, the issue announces the expansion of the Children of Inmates Reading Program (ChIRP).
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Issue # 4
Newsletter 4: March 2024
This March 2024 newsletter honours Alexei Navalny’s reliance on literature during his imprisonment. It details Book Clubs for Inmates’ 2024 expansion goals, including new initiatives for the Children of Inmates Reading Program (ChIRP) and securing corporate sponsorship for the Library Project. Additionally, it celebrates the resurgence of author visits, featuring writers like Sarah Polley and Lawrence Hill.
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Issue # 3
Newsletter 3: December 4, 2023
The December 2023 BCFI newsletter highlights a successful year, including the launch of 11 new Children of Inmates Reading Programs (ChIRP) and the shipment of 65,000 books to federal prisons. It features an article on the Warkworth Institution book club, emphasizing how reading fosters empathy, community connection, and vital pro-social skills for successful reintegration.
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Issue # 2
Newsletter 3: September 18, 2023
This newsletter celebrates the 15th anniversary of Book Clubs for Inmates (BCFI), highlighting its growth to 44 clubs across Canada. It launches the “$15 for 15” fundraising campaign to raise $10,000 for new books. Key updates include a fall author visit schedule, new board member appointments, and a partnership with Indigo to provide gift cards for children in the ChIRP program.
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Issue # 1
Newsletter 1: July 24, 2023
This newsletter celebrates the 15th anniversary of Book Clubs for Inmates (BCFI). Highlights include an anniversary event featuring guest speakers Emily O’Brien and Saad Gaya, plus a successful $4,400 fundraiser at Toronto’s “Word on the Street” festival. BCFI also reports expanding to five new institutions and launching six new Children of Inmates Reading Programs (ChIRP).
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