Voices Coming from Our Circle

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Unfortunately, people who live in poverty-marginalized communities are in a cycle of behaviors, circumstances, and systemic issues that lead to repeated patterns of criminal behavior and imprisonment within a family. This cycle often perpetuates adverse outcomes and hinders opportunities for future generations.

Voices Coming from Our Circle is requesting grant funds to support mindful and relaxation techniques that include learning how coping skills, encourage children to participate in sports and physical activities to promote physical health and provide an outlet for releasing stress and energy, and create peer support groups where children can build friendships and receive encouragement from others who understand their experience.

Los Angeles County has an imprisonment rate of 402 per 100,000, which means more than 40,000 people in California state prisons called Los Angeles County home. 10-24 program is to empower children with incarcerated parents by providing them with the coping skills and emotional support they need to navigate their complex and challenging circumstances.

Voices Coming from Our Circle is an existing program that addresses children whose parents are incarcerated. Our measurement strategies will conduct initial assessments to gather baseline data on children's emotional well-being, communication frequency with incarcerated parents, and overall relationship quality. Then, we will follow up in three months, six months, and one year to measure changes and improvements. We will also collect input from caregivers about the program's impact on the child's behavior, emotional state, and family dynamics.Conduct interviews with caregivers and prison staff to gain deeper insights into the program's effects and gather personal stories of impact. Monitor changes in children's academic performance and school attendance as indirect emotional and psychological well-being indicators. Our evidence of success will determine increased communication frequency, a higher number of video calls, phone calls, and letter exchanges with the child and parent.