MONEY ON BOOKS’ Mustard Seed
One in 28 American youths lives with the shame of a parent’s incarceration; that’s one boy or girl in every classroom. But together with Money on Books’ – Our Mustard Seed, you can help these children feel loved and valued—unlocking their potential for a brighter future.
For 2.7+ million children in the U.S., that story may be filled with the abandonment, loneliness, and shame that come from having a mom or dad in prison. For many, it may also include following their parents down the same destructive road to incarceration.
With the highest incarceration rate in the world, the United States has approximately 3 million children with at least one parent doing time. A sudden parental departure commonly leads to separation anxiety, anger, sadness, and feelings of loneliness and abandonment amongst inner-city youth.
Children and families with a loved one in prison are also “doing time” for their loved one’s mistake or misunderstanding. There is a stigma that is commonly associated with families with a loved one in prison. Because of this, children are more at risk for emotional, social, and classroom problems. Depending on their age, they are also more susceptible to engaging in substance abuse, juvenile delinquency, and gang activity.
Money on Books.org understands that April’s dad is in prison hours away, and her mom is struggling to make ends meet. April sits alone at lunch and on the bus stop in the rain so the other kids won’t ask her why she doesn’t have a coat, or why they’ve never seen her dad. She feels so lonely and wonders every day if her dad still loves her. She misses him so much.
Money on Books’ – Our Mustard Seed is leading the way by supporting inner-city youths with “One pair of shoes, one winter coat, one backpack, and a laptop”. To us, this means one inner-city youth unlocking their potential without the shame of having an incarcerated parent because Moneyonbooks.org is providing these items on behalf of the incarcerated parent that registered.
Moneyonbooks.org, a Support Group for Prisoners and their Families, will help and/or assist when a parent is deciding on shoes or the electric bill, a winter coat or groceries, paying the rent or that laptop their child needs in order to attend college.
MoneyonBooks.org is here to help families through the struggles of everyday life. So please make a difference and donate.
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