LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - May 30, 2012) - Center for Restorative Justice Works is again bringing hundreds of children to visit their fathers in prison on Father's Day during this 13th Annual Get On The Bus event.
Twenty-five buses filled with more than 1,000 children and their caregivers will be traveling from San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Central Valley, Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, throughout the state beginning June 2nd through June 16th to visit six men's institutions: California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo (Saturday, June 2nd), San Quentin State Prison (Friday, June 8th), Folsom State Prison and California State Prison - Sacramento (Saturday, June 9th), California State Prison - Solano (Saturday, June 16th), Correctional Training Facility and Salinas Valley State Prison (Saturday, June 16th). Buses arrive as early as 7:45 a.m. to accommodate the maximum number of visitors at these institutions. Approximately 200,000 children in California have an incarcerated parent and live with relatives.
Executive Director Kathy Culpepper said, "Get On The Bus exists to unite children with their parents in prison. Distance is the number one reason these children have been unable to see their parents. Most parents in California prisons are incarcerated more than 100 miles away from their children. These children miss their parents terribly and need to know that they are not abandoned. Regular visitation helps to decrease the negative impacts of parental incarceration on the children. For many of these children, this is the only time during the year that they will see their father."
Approximately 200,000 children in California have an incarcerated parent and live with relatives or are in foster care, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
"Last year, Get On The Bus united over 1,300 children with their mother or father. This year we've added an additional prison to our program and have received more applications than ever before," said Get On The Bus Program Director Hilary Carson.
Get On The Bus provides free transportation for children and their caregivers, travel bags for the children, comfort care bags for the caregivers, a photograph of each child with his or her father, and meals for the day. Children will wear Get On The Bus t-shirts with the names of donors and supporters. On the bus trip home following the visit, each child will receive a teddy bear with a letter from his or her father as well as post-event counseling. The program is funded by donations from churches, schools, family foundations, grants and other organizations.
Get On The Bus was founded by Sister Suzanne Jabro thirteen years ago after learning from the women she visited in prison that they never had a chance to see their children. Staying connected to their children is just as important for incarcerated mothers and fathers as it is for the kids; research indicates it's the greatest indicator for a successful re-entry upon release.
The media is invited to ride local buses and/or attend the prison events in Corona and Chowchilla. Gate clearance is required.
For CMC: Contact Lt. Dean Spears at (805) 547-7948
For FSP: Contact Lt. Paul Baker (916) 985-2561 Ext. 3016
For SQ: Contact Lt. Sam Robinson (415) 455-5008
For CTF: Contact Lt. Darren Chamberlain (831) 678-5952
For SVSP: Contact Lt. Michael Nilsson (831) 678-5500 x 5554
For CSP-SOL: Contact Lt. Bea Torres (707) 454-3257
To view highlights of last year's event, visit http://www.youtube.com/CAcorrections#p/c/568AE1C483A924DF/37/O3p7xiQAbTM
Twenty-five buses filled with more than 1,000 children and their caregivers will be traveling from San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Central Valley, Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, throughout the state beginning June 2nd through June 16th to visit six men's institutions: California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo (Saturday, June 2nd), San Quentin State Prison (Friday, June 8th), Folsom State Prison and California State Prison - Sacramento (Saturday, June 9th), California State Prison - Solano (Saturday, June 16th), Correctional Training Facility and Salinas Valley State Prison (Saturday, June 16th). Buses arrive as early as 7:45 a.m. to accommodate the maximum number of visitors at these institutions. Approximately 200,000 children in California have an incarcerated parent and live with relatives.
Executive Director Kathy Culpepper said, "Get On The Bus exists to unite children with their parents in prison. Distance is the number one reason these children have been unable to see their parents. Most parents in California prisons are incarcerated more than 100 miles away from their children. These children miss their parents terribly and need to know that they are not abandoned. Regular visitation helps to decrease the negative impacts of parental incarceration on the children. For many of these children, this is the only time during the year that they will see their father."Approximately 200,000 children in California have an incarcerated parent and live with relatives or are in foster care, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
"Last year, Get On The Bus united over 1,300 children with their mother or father. This year we've added an additional prison to our program and have received more applications than ever before," said Get On The Bus Program Director Hilary Carson.
Get On The Bus provides free transportation for children and their caregivers, travel bags for the children, comfort care bags for the caregivers, a photograph of each child with his or her father, and meals for the day. Children will wear Get On The Bus t-shirts with the names of donors and supporters. On the bus trip home following the visit, each child will receive a teddy bear with a letter from his or her father as well as post-event counseling. The program is funded by donations from churches, schools, family foundations, grants and other organizations.Get On The Bus was founded by Sister Suzanne Jabro thirteen years ago after learning from the women she visited in prison that they never had a chance to see their children. Staying connected to their children is just as important for incarcerated mothers and fathers as it is for the kids; research indicates it's the greatest indicator for a successful re-entry upon release.
The media is invited to ride local buses and/or attend the prison events in Corona and Chowchilla. Gate clearance is required.
For CMC: Contact Lt. Dean Spears at (805) 547-7948
For FSP: Contact Lt. Paul Baker (916) 985-2561 Ext. 3016
For SQ: Contact Lt. Sam Robinson (415) 455-5008
For CTF: Contact Lt. Darren Chamberlain (831) 678-5952
For SVSP: Contact Lt. Michael Nilsson (831) 678-5500 x 5554
For CSP-SOL: Contact Lt. Bea Torres (707) 454-3257
To view highlights of last year's event, visit http://www.youtube.com/CAcorrections#p/c/568AE1C483A924DF/37/O3p7xiQAbTM
Compton, CA (SHIELDS) May 14, 2012 - Every year SHIELDS participates in the 
Rep. Karen Bass: “With more than 420,000 youth currently in our nation’s foster care system it is critical that we take time this month to raise awareness about the unique challenges young people in the system face. Joined with 50 of my other colleagues in the Foster Youth Caucus, we are committed to combining our unique and diverse experiences to bring a significant change to help youth prosper while in foster care and eventually find a permanent home.
Rep. Tom Marino: “As a foster parent and the father of two adopted children, it is an honor to join with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to recognize the importance of National Foster Care month. Our nation’s child welfare system faces a number of difficult challenges, but with increased awareness, coordinated state and federal efforts, and dedicated caregivers we will continue to make important advances in providing safer, stable, and caring environments for all foster youths.”
Rep. Jim McDermott: “As we celebrate the importance of National Foster Care Month, let’s remember that foster children need the same things to succeed that all children need – a safe home, a caring family, a good education and access to health care. I’m proud that my colleagues and I have been able to address many of the challenges that foster children face in a bipartisan manner. While we have made progress, there is still much more to do. I look forward to working with my colleagues, especially those on the Foster Care Caucus, to meet those challenges and enable every child in foster care to succeed.”
Rep Michele Bachmann: “I am delighted to join my colleagues in celebrating May as Foster Care Month. As a former foster mom to 23 beautiful girls, I am familiar with the varied experiences of these youth and desire to see needless barriers removed from their lives. Every life is valuable, and I hope that throughout the month of May, we’ll be able to raise awareness to the needs of foster children across the United States.”
