News
August Highlights
Highlights of our staff and program accomplishments throughout August.
- A group of mothers who are incarcerated at Albion Correctional Facility graduated from our parenting program Family Ties at a celebration last month. Their children and other young loved ones gathered with staff and volunteers the night before to make congratulatory handmade cards and swim in the hotel pool before an early morning trip to the facility. Nearly 20 children and youth ages 2 to 21 spent precious time in person reconnecting with their moms and sharing a meal together.
- Nearly 60 formerly incarcerated participants donned caps and gowns at two separate events last month to mark their completion of workforce programs at Osborne. At Osborne’s Fulton Community Reentry Center, NYC Department of Social Services Commissioner Erin Dalton joined us for an intimate ceremony for residents who are pursuing employment goals while they make the move from transitional to permanent housing. Read stories from City Limits and from Gothamist/WNYC. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso hosted a large group of graduates and family members at Borough Hall for our first in-person graduation since the pandemic. These participants completed one of two Osborne programs that offer hard-skills training and certifications, job placement support, and specialized services for parents and parent figures returning to the community, including healthy relationship and parenting education. Read a story from BK Reader here.
- Camp YES! wrapped up another summer of fun in Brooklyn for youth ages 13–15 who have experienced the incarceration of a loved one. Participants built connections with peers who share similar experiences while enjoying daily outings to Brooklyn Bridge Park and exploring creative workshops in photography, screen printing, fashion design, and more. Camp ended with the group joining forces with young people and families from our recreation and transportation programs for an annual trip to Luna Park on Coney Island. Youth Experience Success! (or YES!) is offered year-round in Brooklyn and Buffalo and provides a supportive peer community where young people gain essential life skills, receive emotional support, and participate in enriching experiences. Watch a short video of the Coney Island trip here.