Motherly Intercession

BREAK THE CYCLE OF INTERGENERATIONAL INCARCERATION BY PROVIDING CHILDREN A SYSTEM OF SUPPORT INCLUDING ACADEMIC TUTORING, SOCIAL AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, ARTS AND CULTURE EDUCATION, CIVIC AND GOVERNMENT EDUCATION, AND FAMILY PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES TO CHILDEREN OF CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED PARENTS.

THE READING AND COUNTING TO SUCCESS (RACS) PROGRAM INCLUDES BOTH AN AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITY AND A SUMMER CAMP FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 5 TO 17. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR,CHILDREN ARE GIVEN A PLACE TO MEET TWO TIMES A WEEK AFTER SCHOOL. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES TUTORS, MEALS, AND TRANSPORTATION TO THE CHILDREN TO FACILITATE THEIR ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. DURING THE PROGRAM, STUDENTS ALSO PRACTICE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS THAT FOCUS ON IMPROVING THEIR CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM. A SUMMER DAY CAMP IS PROVIDED TO THE CHILDREN WHEN SCHOOL IS OVER FOR THE YEAR. THE SUMMER CAMP FOCUSES ON ACADEMICS IN THE MORNING AND CREATES TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES TO HELP THE CHILDREN GROW. FIELD TRIPS AND FUN DAYS ARE ALSO A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE SUMMER CURRICULUM IN ORDER TO FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS, A SENSE OF COMMUNITY, AND A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE.

THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HAS VARIOUS SMALLER PROGRAMS WHICH ARE GROUPED TOGETHER AS OTHER PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE PARENTING FROM WITHIN (PFW), FATHERING OUR CHILDREN WITH UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT (F.O.C.U.S.) AND STRENGTHENING INCARCERATED FAMILIES (SIF). THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE INCARCERATED MOTHERS AND FATHERS WITH PARENTING CLASSES THAT EMPOWER ADULTS WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO REDUCE INCARCERATION RELATED STRESS AND BUILD THE RESILIENCY THEY NEED TO MEET THE DAILY CHALLENGES IN THEIR LIVES. THE CLASSES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS IDENTIFY PROBLEMS WITHIN THE SELF IN ORDER TO THEN REBUILD FOR A STABLE LIFE. TOPICS COVERED DURING THE CLASSES INCLUDE COMMUNICATION SKILLS, HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, SETTING BOUNDARIES,PROBLEM SOLVING, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, PARENTING SKILLS, AND MORE. FOR PARENTS WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH THESE CLASSES, THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES A SOCIAL CONNECTION SUPPORT GROUP. THIS GROUP HELPS PREPARE THE PARENTS FOR RE-ENTRY INTO SOCIETY AND FOCUS ON GOAL SETTING, RESUME BUILDING, WORK ETHIC, AND DECISION MAKING.

THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES A HEALTH CARE PROGRAM TO INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES REFERRALS AND ASSISTANCE WITH ENROLLMENT FOR HEALTHCARE COVERAGE THROUGH THE GENESEE HEALTH PLAN.