Terrence Stevens

2002

Terrence Stevens

In Arms Reach

New York, New York, United States

The Bold Idea:

Children with a parent in prison are six times more likely than children of non-incarcerated parents to become involved with crime and become imprisoned themselves. In Arms Reach, Inc. responds to this alarming situation with programming in academics, arts, music, prison visitation and mentoring for children whose parents are or were formerly offenders of the criminal justice system. In Arms Reach gives imprisoned parents the strength to better themselves through our commitment to serving their children, and empowers children through academic assistance with qualified mentors, aiming to prepare each child for admission to college so that they may lead productive, crime-free lives.

The program aims to break the potential cycle of incarceration passed from parent to child by offering one-on-one and group counseling in a supportive setting. In Arms Reach also helps to reduce feelings of abandonment and anger by nurturing existing parent-child relationships with free trips for children to visit their parents. In Arms Reach also provides a voice for children enrolled in the public school system through meetings with officials, involvement in curriculum, encouragement and supervision of higher grades and academic excellence, and strives to increase public awareness about the effects of parental incarceration on children nationwide.