Lucius Jenkins could have become a statistic.
When police officers arrested eight year-old Lucius’ father on charges of sexual abuse, he could have gone the way of many other children with incarcerated parents – behavioral problems at school, becoming isolated from friends and family, or even following his father to prison. Instead, with the support and encouragement of his mother, and the mentoring of an Angel Tree volunteer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Lucius has become an example to other children of inmates.
“As I’ve grown older I’ve learned that my story brings strength to others,” says Lucius – now 21 – in a story for World on Campus.
Shortly after his arrest, Lucius’ father signed the family up for Angel Tree. The Jenkins family received gifts from their father that Christmas. They also began a relationship with Nancy Anderson, an Angel Tree coordinator at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale. Anderson served as a mentor to Lucius, and sponsored his annual campring trips. She also served as a sponsor for Lucius’ mom, Angela – a relationship that grew into a lasting friendship.
Today, Lucius is giving back to those in his community by serving as an Angel Tree mentor and camp counselor. He is studying at the local commmunity college to become a physical therapist. His mother also volunteers with Angel Tree, serving other families with incarcerated loved-ones through the Family Embraced program.
There are many ways to provide a helping hand to those like Lucius in your community. One is to register your church to provide Christmas gifts for those children who have a parent behind bars. There are also opportunities to serve as a mentor to these kids and their families, and to help send kids like Lucius to camp. (“The most fun in my life,” Lucius says.)
By supporting Angel Tree, you give children of inmates like Lucius the opportunity to break the cycle of incarceration, and offer them the hope that comes with the Gospel. You also provide them with the chance to give back themselves. “These children [of inmates], no matter what, they still have incredible potential,” says Lucius. “Let’s be their resource. Let’s build them up.”