CONNECTION TO IMPRISONED PARENT

Family Connect focuses on working with caregivers to eliminate barriers that may exist in the lines of communication between children and their imprisoned parent, coordinate trips to correctional facilities and provide workshops to assist in understanding the regulations and protocols of jails and prisons. Specific features will include:

Our “Voices From Afar” wall, created in honor of our children’s incarcerated parent, is filled with framed heartfelt notes and correspondences from parents that express their love, share their regrets and convey aspirations to remain in the lives of their children.

To My Daughter,

It has been years since the night my poor judgment removed me from your life. In an instant, my lack of discipline and commonsense, cost you the life every little girl is entitled to, to have a loving, caring father by their side to guide and protect them as they go through life. My actions caused you to have to pay the price for my wrong doings. That’s not fair, and I am so very sorry.

I am sorry I wasn’t there to teach you the things I should have taught you. How to ride a bike, shoot a basket or fly a kite. I wasn’t there to help you learn to read and write, take you trick-or-treating, cook with you, play with you, or to comfort you when you were sad. I missed your first day of school, your first dance and too many birthdays and Christmases to ever make-up for. I’ve missed all the things that make you who you are, and I am so very sorry for that.

I would give anything to go back and be the father I should have been for you. I would pay any price to ease the pain I’ve caused you the slightest bit. I would do anything for one more chance to be the father I wish I was and that you deserve to have.

One thing that I hope you know and will always remember is none of this is your fault. You are the best part of my life, even though I’m not a part of yours now. You are a wonderful little girl and you will grow into a wonderful woman. You will have a wonderful life and hopefully have wonderful children of your own.

You are my every thought, my reason for the change I’m finally beginning to make. Please know that I love you with every ounce of my heart. You are my world.

Love,

Dad 

“I must say that my experiences with CPNYC have been the best. In 2008 my boys were registered to participate in a program for children with an incarcerated parent. When I was informed I was very excited. Once the boys were stable in the program I began to receive letters from them sent by CPNYC. I felt very happy that I was now getting mail on a daily basis from my boys and I must say that the feeling was breathtaking. Along with the letters I received Newsletters informing me on activities that were taking place within the program and the best Newsletter I received was when my son Pedro was featured with his mentor Josh, which was great. I showed everyone. Now March 2, 2012 I have been released from prison after serving 16 years and my first stop was at Children of Promise, NYC. It was the greatest experience ever getting to know Ms. Content along with all the other staff that joined me that day. As my boys continue to be a part of CPNYC I must say that I will continue to advocate for such a great program.” -Victor Cordero

Visit Us On TwitterVisit Us On Facebook