On Saturday, May 8, 2010 Mrs. Shirley Cochran who is the founder of Motherly Intercession a nonprofit organization will receive two awards in one day for the long standing commitment and support of children of incarcerated parents of Genesee County.
At a luncheon that will take place at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Saginaw Street in Flint, MI., Bountiful Love Ministries Department of Women’s affairs will present Mrs. Cochran with the “Phenomenal Woman” Award.
Later that evening, the Rotary International Clubs of Genesee County, will also honor her with the “Service Above Self Award” at a dinner that will be held at the Genesys Banquet Center in Grand Blanc, MI.
For 11 years, Motherly Intercession has been there for those she calls, the “hidden victims” of incarceration. Shirley has asked us to ask ourselves, “Who is left behind when a parent goes to jail or prison?” She knows it is multiple children ranging from infants to 18 years of age. She knows that the interruption to the family’s stability causes the children anxiety affecting their mental, social, and academic well being. She also knows as the kids are shuffled from caregiver to caregiver, they are separated from other siblings and have no means of visiting their incarcerated parent. In most cases the children begin to exhibit behavior problems. Who cares for these children? Ninety percent of the time, the challenges fall on the elderly grandparents. Often, the grandparents who are already struggling with their personal health issues, now becomes faced with financial concerns, the child’s emotional behavior, disciplinary decisions. The lack of academic skill sets to assist the children with their homework in reading and math causes them great stress and can leave them feeling overburdened by the situation.
Motherly Intercession’s mission is to break the cycle of intergenerational incarceration. The organization’s vision is that the children of incarcerated parents will realize…… that their parent’s destiny does not have to be their destiny.
In response to negative impacts that parental incarceration have on the children’s young innocent lives, Motherly Intercession has developed one program with several components. All the components are designed to respond with a positive system of support for the children.
To answer the academic call, The Reading And Counting to Success (RACS) Program is a bi-weekly after school tutoring program. Transportation is provided and a healthy nutritional dinner is served.
Preschool readiness is available through the 325 School Readiness program.
Bonding From A Distance (B-FAD) Children’s Visitation Program at the Genesee Jail keeps the children in touch with their incarcerated mothers.
The N-TOUCH program is in partnership with Genesee County Judge David Newblatt. The goal of the program is to provide a means for the children to learn the law, and realize their decision to either obey or disobey the law results in positive or negative consequences. Additionally, the children learn how their personal decisions impact their personal lives, their family’s life as well as our community.
Arts and Cultural Education (ACE) program strives to expose the children to art and culture through observation and participation.
As Motherly Intercession moves forward to keep up with the economic challenges and growth, more volunteers and monetary contributions are needed. Mrs. Cochran’s favorite quote was made by Margaret Mead who said, “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world! Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Learn more about Motherly Intercession and ways to support the INNOCENT children of incarcerated parents through its website www. motherly-intercession.org, or call the office at (810) 424-9909.
Who is left behind when a parent goes to jail or prison?................Ask us we know!
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
