PPNA would like to give a big THANK YOU to our friends for their care and support!
Our Programs
Begins In The Womb
We believe stopping the cycle of intergenerational incarceration begins in the womb. PPNA’s goal is to interrupt the effects of trauma on children know as adverse childhood experiences (ACES) that many children of incarcerated parents experience. To achieve this will require supporting incarcerated parents with pre-natal, and post-partum resources. These resources will enable parents take the necessary actions steps to make sure they are mentally and emotionally ready for their new baby.
Online Parenting Courses
PPNA offers parenting tools to incarcerated parents to support their children’s social and emotional development. These practices are designed to teach parents how to manage their emotions, and learn appropriate response to their children’s behaviors. Our goal is to help parents develop healthy relationships with their children and bridge a gap between incarceration and their child’s mental wellness. The classes are conducted on-line and in person at the correctional facility.
The Family Reunion Visits
Family Reunion Visits are a special time for children and their incarcerated parents to engage in face-to-face visits. Many families face financial restrictions and lack transportations for their children to attend face to face visits. To remedy this, PPNA affords free quarterly Family Reunion Visits for children and their caregivers .
Thinkers Club
The thinkers club provides children and youth an opportunity to engage in critical thinking and strategizing with out-of-the-box activities. The club meets on Saturday mornings and a continental breakfast and lunch is provided. In addition, youth counselors will be available to help guide the children and youth with meaningful conversations around their emotions, reactions, thoughts and feelings about having incarcerated parents. This club provides a safe space for the children and youth to work through the traumatic, stressful, and emotional aspect of parental incarceration.
About the
Organization
Parents & Providers Network Association, Inc., (PPNA), strives to answer the "C.A.L.L.", for Children and Adults to Live and Love life together, regardless of the bars and walls separating them. We achieve this through exploring resources, engaging and mobilizing parents, families and educators. Our goal is to, one day-at-a-time, practice/promote positive behavioral experiences towards children and youth dealing with incarcerated parents and family.
Family Spotlight
Mikeya, 40 years old & a mother of 2 boys.
"My name is Mikeya, I am a 40-year-old mother of 2 boys (kd 14 and kk 6). I am a survivor (or should we use overcomer) of growing up with a parent incarcerated. I remember the day as if it was yesterday when my daddy was taken away from me, I was only 8 or 9 years old. I remember walking down the stairs crying with my siblings seeing my daddy hang his head low, while my mother tried to push us out the door to my grandfather. I remember my pregnant mother saying be strong for me. I didn't understand why we needed to be strong or even how to be strong but I knew from that day forward my life would be changed forever. A few months later during his trial, it was confirmed that my father was sentenced to serve 25 years in federal prison.
Life changed a lot after that, from seeing my dad every day to only hearing him on a phone, trying to hear his voice through a letter, or seeing him once a month during a "family vacation". Having my dad away also caused us to in a sense lose our mom. We become lock key kids with my oldest sister and I providing care for our younger siblings and my mom working a full-time job and 2 to 3 part-time jobs at a time to make ends meet. I began learning exactly what being strong meant for her.
It was more than hard however with great support from mentors, programs that supported families with incarcerated parents, and a strong mom, I more than exceeded what was expected of my life."
Contact Us
We'd Love to Hear From You
Donate Now
It wouldn’t be possible for us to provide our support services if it weren’t for our generous benefactors. Help keep us running at our best and highest capacity by donating today. There are many different contribution options available and we appreciate any and all support.
