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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that the Big Brothers Big Sisters Saginaw Bay Area, Inc. would receive a $110,000 grant to fund the Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program. The Bureau of Family and Youth Services, a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, awarded this grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters Saginaw Bay Area, Inc. to help provide guidance and assistance to children of incarcerated parents.
“This funding will help children of incarcerated parents develop a healthy and supportive relationship with a positive adult role model, who can help them reach their full potential,” said Congressman Kildee. “We must continue to provide funding for these types of mentoring programs so that at-risk children are able to avoid a life of drugs, crime and violence. The Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program has already prevented thousands of children from following in their parent’s footsteps by providing them with a safe and stable environment.”
The Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program was designed to help minimize the disruption and instability that is caused by the incarceration of a parent. These mentoring programs provide children with an opportunity to develop a trusting relationship with a supportive, caring adult and a stable environment that can promote healthy values and strong families. These programs have also helped reduce first-time drug and alcohol use, improve relationships and academic performance, and reduce the likelihood that these children will initiate violence. In 2003, $9.9 million was awarded to 52 Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program run by community and faith-based organizations and state and local governments in 29 states across the country. |
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