All -
I wanted to share this letter that was recently sent out by the President of the National Fatherhood Initiative. I think you will find it very moving...
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role at NFI is the unique opportunity to see and hear firsthand the impact that our work is having on incarcerated fathers. Over about 2 years, we have seen our work in this area expand tremendously, with 48 states now implementing our InsideOut Dad programs in their jails and prisons. (You can learn more about the program at http://www.fatherhood.org/insideoutdad/.) This is especially important since most incarcerated men are fathers and their children are more at risk to be involved in crime and end up incarcerated as well.
That said, I was particularly encouraged when we received a letter from an inmate named Raymond whose cellmate was enrolled in an InsideOut Dad class in Montgomery County, MD. I have shared this letter with others and thought you would appreciate it as well. You can read it at http://www.fatherhood..org/doclibrary/Corrections_Impact_Letter.pdf.
Raymond told the facilitator of the program that he was so blown away by the changes he saw in his cellmate that he wanted to write a letter to give to all program graduates. His words are powerful, hopeful, and yet cautionary, and he graciously has allowed us to share them. I can't help but wonder how different his story would have been if we had been able to reach him as a father before he was incarcerated and how different his son's story would have been if InsideOut Dad had been available when Raymond was first incarcerated. However, I am encouraged because we have an opportunity to change the future for his fellow inmates and their children.
Roland C. Warren
President
National Fatherhood Initiative
Website: http://www.blogger.com/www.fatherhood.org
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