Words Travel is a national literacy and family strengthening program that strengthens the bonds between incarcerated parents and their children through reading. Words Travel is a partnership of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company; Volunteers of America, one of the nation’s largest human service organizations; and correctional facilities around the country. Since its start in 2002, the Words Travel program has reached more than 1,500 incarcerated parents —both men and women— and over 2,500 of their children in eight states throughout the country. The goals of the Words Travel program include fostering and maintaining a connection between the incarcerated parent and child, providing a positive experience between the parent and child through reading, and promoting an interest in reading on the part of both the parent and child.