Fathers Rock Program for Children with Incarcerated Fathers
Fathers Rock Inc. was formed to spotlight the importance of present and supportive fathers from all backgrounds. Fathers Rock’s mission is to strengthen the presence of Fatherhood in the community by recognizing and appreciating proactive and active Fathers and Father Figures. As well as, encouraging, mentoring, and providing peer mediation to dispirited Fathers.
The ultimate goal of Fathers Rock is to restore value back into the bond between father and child. As well as, developing both father and child into leaders of their communities.
Children with incarcerated parents throughout the country is a grave concern; especially those without their fathers. Estimates citing the amount of children living in the U.S. with a father in prison; varies. Presently, it is thought that approximately 2 million children have a parent in prison. Most of the prisoners in the U.S. are men; and a majority of these men are fathers. Nearly half of these incarcerated fathers were living with their children before going to prison. Even when these fathers were not residing with their children, they often contributed income, child care, and social support to their families.
As a result, Fathers Rock Inc. has launched a program for children with incarcerated fathers or father figures we call; “Away But Not Forgotten”. The program’s mission is to help build and maintain a healthy relationship between Father and Child while father is incarcerated. Away but Not Forgotten will provide FREE transportation to the major Correctional Facilities throughout the state of Maryland, allowing children the ability to visit their father or father figure that is incarcerated. The program will also provide children with one-on-one and group mentoring services.
The program’s goal is to increase the father and child connection through visitations which will; minimize social, emotional, and psychological challenges that our children face. The program will also help prepare each father or father figure for fatherhood once they return back to society. Through parenting workshops, peer-to-peer mentoring, and job assistance, we will strive to get them back on track. The program plans to increase visitation between the child and the father/ father figure, offer employment development, and employment placement once they are released from prison. The father is now in a healthier state, reducing the risk of recidivism and becoming a leader of his family and household.
We believe that the foundation of the community is the family, and the cornerstone of every family is a loving, caring, active father or father figure.
