“You’ve Got Mail” — Why Reaching Out Matters

The holidays are a time of connection, celebration, and community. For most of us, this season means gathering with loved ones, sharing laughter around a table, sending festive cards, and hearing the familiar ding of an incoming message letting us know someone is thinking of us. But for women serving time in federal prison camps — especially those without visitation privileges — the holidays can be one of the loneliest times of the year.

At Women of Worth WOW, we believe every woman deserves to feel remembered, valued, and connected — especially those who are physically separated from family and friends. That’s why reaching out through mail, approved email systems, or postcard programs matters more than many of us can imagine.

The Invisible Weight of Isolation

Imagine waking up on Christmas Day, Hanukkah’s first night, or New Year’s morning with no familiar voice on the phone, no festive cards on the wall, and no warm embraces waiting. Inside a prison camp, the absence of visits — whether due to distance, lack of funds, public health restrictions, or facility policy — can deepen the sense of isolation that incarceration already brings.

Many incarcerated women tell us that the hardest part isn’t the loss of freedom — it’s the loss of connection.

The Power of a Letter

A simple piece of mail is more than paper and ink. It’s a lifeline.

A card, a handwritten letter, or a short note of encouragement:

·      Let her know she hasn’t been forgotten.

·      Reminds her of who she was before incarceration — and who she still is.

·      Sparks hope on days that feel long and heavy.

·      Rebuilds connection with the outside world.

As we talked about in Camp Confidential – Beyond the Bars podcast’s “You’ve Got Mail” episode, we heard firsthand how women light up when they receive mail. Cheryl Womack shared how letters become “a thread back to life,” something tangible she could hold onto while navigating the emotional turbulence of incarceration. These messages become anchors — reminding them of love, identity, and future possibilities.

“Mail is more than correspondence — it’s hope in an envelope.”
— from the “You’ve Got Mail” episode 14 of the Camp Confidential podcast

Email and Approved Messaging: A Modern Connection

While not all facilities offer electronic messaging, for those that do, approved email and electronic card systems create a meaningful bridge.

Even short messages — a holiday greeting, a shared memory, a quick check-in — bring reassurance that someone outside still cares. These digital notes travel faster than traditional mail and can be a lifeline on tough days.

Your Role in Changing a Holiday Experience

You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to reach out. But during the holidays, your thoughtfulness has an even deeper impact. If you’re wondering what to say, here are a few ideas:

·      Share a favorite memory you have with her

·      Talk about what you’re grateful for this year

·      Send a handwritten note of encouragement

·      Include photos or sketches

·      Talk about future plans or hopes

Kindness doesn’t need to be elaborate — just genuine.

From My Heart to Yours

As Chairperson of Women of Worth WOW, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of connection through our work. Simple contact — a postcard, a holiday card, an email — can lift spirits, strengthen resilience, and remind women that they are part of a community that cares.

This season, let’s reach out. Let’s write. Let’s send love over the miles and through the walls that separate so many from their families and friends.

Because no one should feel alone at Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or New Year’s or whatever you believe — especially not the women counting on us to remember them.

Warm wishes,
Katrina McLarin
Chairperson, Women of Worth WOW