For the past several months, Google has led a unique campaign that reconnects children with their incarcerated parents through Project #LoveLetter. On Fathers’ Day, they showcased some of the #LoveLetters that kids sent to their incarcerated fathers.
As many know, the United States represents only 5 percent of the world population while holding 25 percent of the world’s prison population.
A version of the following interview originally appeared in Inside Journal, Prison Fellowship’s quarterly publication for men and women behind bars.
Nationwide, one out of every 28 kids has a parent behind bars, resulting in many separated families. Since 1982 Angel Tree, a Prison Fellowship program started by a former bank robber, has given parents an opportunity to restore and strengthen relationships with their children.
Every year, we look forward to receiving letters from those who were touched by Angel Tree during the most recent Christmas season. Particularly, we love hearing from prisoner parents who express how Angel Tree helped strengthen or rebuild a relationship with their children.
In celebration of Prison Fellowship’s 40 years of ministering to prisoners and their families, we will be taking a look back at the early days of the ministry and remembering the people and the stories that have helped to make Prison Fellowship the nation’s largest prison outreach.
By the time she turned 27, Mary Kay Beard had established herself as one of the most notorious criminals in the country. Along with her husband, Mary Kay was wanted in four states for a string of bank robberies and was the target of a mafia “hit” for double-crossing the mob on a diamond heist.
A photo taken during the spring break before Mercedes’ husband was incarcerated.
Loneliness could hardly describe the feeling Mercedes experienced when her husband was arrested. Isolation was probably closer to it.
Not only did she and her two daughters lose their main source of income, but she said she also lost the respect of her friends and family.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph has a reputation as one of the hardest working basketball players in the NBA. A tenacious rebounder and clutch shooter, “Z-Bo” has become a fan favorite in Memphis, reflecting the city’s blue-collar work ethic.
Zach Randolph (r) guards Los Angeles Clipper Blake Griffin.
We often hear stories about how Angel Tree reconnected a child recipient with his or her incarcerated parent. But in this story from California, Angel Tree reconnected a volunteer with her formerly incarcerated father. We received the following personal account right before Christmas.
My wife Cathy and I couldn’t tell if anyone was home.
We walked up the cluttered approach to the old mobile home and knocked on the door. There was no car in the driveway and no tracks in the snow that had fallen overnight.
Children at an Angel Tree Christmas party.
Across the nation—and around the world—Angel Tree parties and house deliveries are in full swing, both blessing the children and families of the incarcerated as well as leaving a mark on the volunteers that make it happen.
Beth’s dad liked to drink. Sometimes he’d drink too much and end up behind bars. He wasn’t always there when Beth needed him.
But he did something special for her while in prison—he signed up for Angel Tree.
Every year, thousands of kids receive gifts from their incarcerated parents with the help of Angel Tree.
For many people, the holiday season brings to mind images of bright light displays, evenings spent in front of a warm fireplace, and gatherings of friends and families. It is a time of good tidings, meant to be shared with loved ones.
In moments of challenge, you and I have two options: We can yield to anxiety, or we can choose thanksgiving. We can rejoice in our secure spiritual inheritance. We can rest in God’s promises of provision. We can trust the One who holds us in the palms of His nail-scarred hands.
