Books and Badges Builds Connection One Story at a Time

What if the key to building trust between first responders and the communities they serve was as simple as reading a book together? In Plymouth, a public safety team is doing just that—connecting with kids and families through weekly story times, heartfelt conversations, and a growing library of shared moments.

For much of her career, Sara Cwayna, a community engagement officer of the Plymouth Police Department, worked on the fire side of community education—bike helmet checks, smoke alarm battery changes, and safety workshops for families. But in 2017, that began to shift.

Former Public Safety Director Mike Goldstein encouraged Cwayna to extend her role into the police side, with a focus on authentic community connection. He had a vision: more engagement outside the squad car—unscripted, uniform-free, and agenda-free. Cwayna joined a small police department team dedicated to finding new ways to build relationships. While traditional efforts like D.A.R.E. and safety classes continued, they wanted something deeper.

A New Chapter Begins

Their goal was simple but powerful: create “out-of-the-car” experiences that allowed officers to show up as people, not just professionals. They wanted to meet residents where they lived, worked, and learned—through real conversations that built trust.

An early opportunity came from the Wayzata School District’s Community Education program. Julie Menk led the Literacy Volunteer Program, matching reading buddies with students who needed a little extra encouragement.

“You don’t always know why you’re paired with a child,” Cwayna said. “Some were strong readers. Some just needed another consistent adult in their lives.”

In 2018, Cwayna and three colleagues—including office support staff—joined the program, each paired with students in different schools. Each weekly visit planted seeds of connection—with students, teachers, and staff.

When the pandemic hit, in-person reading stopped. But the team got creative. With Menk’s help, they launched a virtual reading program through the district’s media system. Police officers, firefighters, and public works staff read stories via Zoom, and families who registered were entered in drawings for department tours or even fire truck rides to school. “It created a little bit of magic,” Cwayna said.

With community support, another idea took off: a pen pal program between officers and students. Four officers exchanged handwritten letters with kids, building real relationships through the mail, and Cwayna corresponded with a student who had just moved from South Korea—they shared stories about travel, food, and life, all while helping the child learn English.

Though Zoom reading sessions between individual staff and students weren’t always successful—understandably, with busy home environments—the effort showed the team’s commitment to staying connected to the community in new ways.

As schools returned to in-person learning, a hallway reading tradition emerged. Cwayna had a break between safety classes and was invited by a second-grade teacher to read one-on-one with students. Each child got 10 minutes in the hallway to read their book. By year’s end, Cwayna had read with the entire class.

Later in the year, at a safety workshop, one of those students recognized Cwayna, ran up to her, and said, “I know you! We read together!”

“That moment reminded me why this matters,” Cwayna said. “It’s about being someone they recognize and trust.”

Impact Beyond the School Walls

The department’s work caught the attention of a Chicago sportscaster, whose nephew had joined a reading session in Plymouth. He connected Cwayna with the Starfish Assignment, a nonprofit supporting police literacy programs. They donated 600 books to launch Books and Badges—a program where officers read to classrooms and give each child their own copy.

The story times soon expanded to “The KUBE” (Kids Ultimate Backyard Experience) at the Plymouth Community Center. Attendance was modest at first, but families returned, brought friends, and posted photos with officers. A ripple effect had begun. The Sheriff’s Office joined in, hosting their own weekday readings and sometimes partnering with Plymouth, creating more ways for kids to connect with officers.

The message they shared was clear: reading is a superpower. Officers would tell kids, “You can learn anything—how to fly a plane, how to build a bridge—just by reading. That’s your superpower.” And with that knowledge came confidence.

Beyond the books, these efforts built familiarity and trust. “During Books and Badges events, police officers and firefighters talk about their jobs in a way that’s easy for kids to understand,” Menk said. “They show that they’re here to help.”

And the support grew. A local grandmother left a voicemail about a children’s book authored by her daughter-in-law about police officers. The department bought it, read it aloud during a session, and the grandmother livestreamed it to the author in New Mexico. That book is now part of their permanent library.

The collection has become a community project—parents suggest titles, local churches donate books, and topics now range from snowplows to heavy equipment, all tailored to kids’ interests.

According to Menk, Wayzata School District Community Education Department has held seven Books and Badges events, with about 55 families joining each time. Events are also recorded for families to watch on their own time.

The program isn’t rigid; it’s built on passion and flexibility. Cwayna reads once a week for 30 minutes, while others join monthly Books and Badges sessions, giving an hour of their time. “We don’t make anyone read if it’s not their thing,” Cwayna said. “But for those who love it—it’s a gift.”

‘This Isn’t Complicated’

Cwayna encourages other departments to start with existing partnerships and resources—there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.

 “Start small,” Cwayna advised. “Look at the relationships you already have—with schools, libraries, or community ed. This isn’t complicated. And the community will welcome you.”

Connecting with a student from South Korea. A livestreamed book reading for an author’s proud family. Dozens of hugs from second graders. These ripples add up.

“It’s not about a script,” Cwayna said. “It’s about being there, listening, and letting them see us for who we really are.”

In Plymouth, Wayzata, West Hennepin, and beyond, a new model of community engagement is taking root—one book, one child, and one connection at a time.