Freedom Child Foundation Inc

Overview

The Freedom Child Foundation Inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting adolescents in the United States who have one or both parents incarcerated. The foundation works to ensure that these children can maintain meaningful relationships with their incarcerated parents through various forms of communication and family connection.

Purpose and Mission

The organization's mission is to provide resources that enable children to stay connected with their parents, even in the face of incarceration. This involves facilitating phone calls, letter writing, and in-person visits. Additionally, the foundation offers therapeutic support to help adolescents cope with the traumatic experience of having an incarcerated parent. The goal is to empower these children during a crucial period in their lives, promoting personal growth, development, and mental stability.

Founder and Background

The Freedom Child Foundation was founded by Wandjell Harvey-Robinson, whose personal experience with parental incarceration shaped her commitment to this cause. At the age of eight, both of her parents were incarcerated, and she faced challenges in maintaining contact with them due to high phone call costs. This personal struggle inspired her advocacy work, including lobbying for reductions in prison phone call rates, which led to significant legislative changes.

Programs and Activities

• Communication Support: The foundation provides financial assistance for phone calls, stationery for writing letters, and transportation for prison visits. This support helps adolescents maintain regular communication with their incarcerated parents.
• Therapeutic Support: Beyond facilitating communication, the organization offers therapeutic resources to help children cope with the emotional challenges associated with parental incarceration.
• Advocacy and Awareness: The Freedom Child Foundation also engages in advocacy work, raising awareness of the impact of parental incarceration on children and advocating for supportive policies.

Impact

By providing these resources, the foundation aims to reduce the likelihood that children of incarcerated parents will themselves become involved in the criminal justice system. The organization seeks to break the cycle of incarceration by supporting family bonds and promoting healthy development among affected children.