MENTORING PROGRAM FOR OKLAHOMA CHILDREN OF PRISONERS
RECEIVES ONE OF THE LARGEST NATIONAL GRANTS AWARDED
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NORMAN, OK – University of Oklahoma OUTREACH has received one of the largest grants made from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services aimed at helping children who have at least one parent in prison. The $700,000 annual, three-year grant will be used to administer “Children of Promise…Mentors of Hope”, a statewide initiative that will partner University OUTREACH and Oklahoma Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations. -
The mentoring program will collaborate with faith-based associations, civic organizations, educational institutions, corporations and prison ministries to help improve the social, emotional and educational success of this special group of Oklahoma children and youth.
“This is a silent generation of kids,” said Cynthia Timmons, author of the grant who will serve as project director. “When a parent is sent to prison, it’s often the children who suffer the real punishment. Studies show children with incarcerated parents suffer from grief and loss, which can affect their self-image, cause behavioral and educational struggles, not to mention a host of other issues associated with the loss of a parent.” -
Research indicates mentoring increases the likelihood of regular school attendance and academic achievement, decreases the chances of engaging in self-destructive or violent behavior, and improves caregiver and peer relationships. -
Oklahoma leads the nation in the number of women in prison – 131 per 100,000 female residents – and is fourth in the number of incarcerated men with 667 per 100,000. It is estimated that approximately 21,000 children in the state have parents in prison. Timmons said the goal of the first grant year will be to identify children, screen and train volunteers, then match 500 youth, ages 4-14. An additional 100 youth and mentors will be added each grant year. Timmons, who will serve as a mentor herself, said the grant will serve as seed money to permanently establish the program. -
The grant is administered through U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, which received 581 applications for grant money this year. Of those, 164 grantees were chosen totaling $35 million, all for programs to mentor children of prisoners. -
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For more information contact Cynthia Timmons at University OUTREACH,
(405) 325-1729, or 1-800-228-1766.