Partnerships

Together Again

Formerly Incarcerated Parents

Beginning in 2012, Habitot will host free, monthly exclusive visit times for 80 mothers recently released from the Santa Rita Women's Facility to facilitate reconnection and bonding with their preschool-aged children through art and play. All of the women are hoping to regain custody of their children.

“Habitot’s program will greatly benefit the moms and kids. They'll be participating in important, quality enrichment activities that they wouldn’t normally do on their own. These kids and moms are dealing with a lot. Issues of bonding, trust, denial, feelings of abandonment. These kinds of activities can soften those wounds,” says Dolores Lyles, Manager of Parent Programs for Centerforce.

The new program, funded by a pilot grant from the Trio Foundation, will be offered in partnership with Centerforce, a California-based nonprofit organization that strives to improve the lives and strengthen the communities of incarcerated people and their loved ones. Their staff will accompany mothers and children to Habitot.

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