Girl Scouts Beyond BarsProject M.E.N.D.(Mothers Encouraging and Nurturing Their Daughters)
Going to jail has a devastating effect not only on an individual but also on family members. A study conducted by Girls Scouts of the USA found that girls are 4-5 times more likely to go to jail if a parent has been incarcerated. With female incarceration rates in Oklahoma being the highest per capita in the nation, Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma decided to do something to counter the trend. In 2002, they partnered with Turley Correctional Center to create Project M.E.N.D., which works to repair the broken mother/daughter relationship due to separation from incarceration. We work to mend the relationship while the mother is still incarcerated, says Karen Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma. That way they don't have to start fresh once she is released and has many other issues to deal with. We know when women have something to work for - like their daughters they have a reason to stay clean, work hard and are less likely to get involved again in drugs, crime and incarceration. For many women at Turley, they put drugs before their families. Project M.E.N.D. provides an opportunity for them to bond with their daughters for the first time. Together, they participate in a curriculum that includes drug and alcohol prevention, conflict resolution and other valuable life skills. Guest speakers discuss self-esteem, healthy eating and exercise, stress and anger management. Animosity between daughters and mother is tackled head on. Girls also get to go on trips together and participate in community service, as they would in any other traditional Girl Scout troop. Once the mothers return home, many choose to continue in the program with their daughters in a special troop for bridged M.E.N.D. participants. Since its inception, Project M.E.N.D. has served more than 80 mothers and daughters, providing a community that supports and strengthens womens efforts to make positive changes in their lives. For the girls, doing things with their mothers has a life-changing impact. Program participants report better decision-making skills, a desire to help those around them and a closer relationship with loved ones. For more information about Project M.E.N.D., please contact Sheila Harbert, Director of Girl Scouts Beyond Bars at 918-749-2551. Project M.E.N.D launches Project Reconnect(Pilot Project 2008-2009) Building on its current success of Project M.E.N.D. (Mothers Encouraging and Nurturing their Daughters), a statewide Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program that provides life-changing skills for families in five Oklahoma correctional facilities, Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma is excited to add its re-entry component, Project Reconnect. This year-long pilot program helps offenders transition from prison into their community. It consists of family-oriented programming conducted by Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, vocational training (welding) held at Tulsa Technology Center, drug counseling provided by Helping Women Recover, tutoring for children of incarcerated parents and a 12-step drug support group conducted by HOPE (Helping Oppressed People Elevate). The passionate vision to help these mothers make a successful transition was evident during the Project Reconnect Orientation as representatives of the various organizations shared their hope, their commitment, and even their tears with the families. Among those sharing their inspiration were Ann Tandy, Department of Corrections; Monroe Nichols of Mayor Kathy Taylors office; Neila Reeves, Helping Women Recover; Amy Santee, George Kaiser Foundation; Karen Morgan, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma; and Joyce McClellan, Tulsa Technology Center. With no cost to the offender, Project Reconnect provides: Vocational Training (Welding) Transportation to Training Drug Counseling Housing Assistance Clothing Assistance Job Placement Post-Graduation Meals During Training Life Changing Workshops Transportation for Children for Enrichment Activities Tutoring for Children Fun Outings for Children Free Girl Scout Registration Requirements: Must be a mother/grandmother. Must pass a Workforce skills test. Must participate in Project M.E.N.D. Must complete 12-week training program. Must participate in evaluations. Must meet physical requirements of training . Must be community eligible. Project Reconnect is made possible by collaborations with Workforce Oklahoma, Tulsa Technology Center, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and the George Kaiser Family Foundation. You can make a difference!Our Project M.E.N.D. girls are making a difference ... so can you. Click here to see what they are doing and support Girl Scouts Beyond Bars!
Going to jail has a devastating effect not only on an individual but also on family members. A study conducted by Girls Scouts of the USA found that girls are 4-5 times more likely to go to jail if a parent has been incarcerated. With female incarceration rates in Oklahoma being the highest per capita in the nation, Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma decided to do something to counter the trend. In 2002, they partnered with Turley Correctional Center to create Project M.E.N.D., which works to repair the broken mother/daughter relationship due to separation from incarceration.
We work to mend the relationship while the mother is still incarcerated, says Karen Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma. That way they don't have to start fresh once she is released and has many other issues to deal with. We know when women have something to work for - like their daughters they have a reason to stay clean, work hard and are less likely to get involved again in drugs, crime and incarceration.
For many women at Turley, they put drugs before their families. Project M.E.N.D. provides an opportunity for them to bond with their daughters for the first time. Together, they participate in a curriculum that includes drug and alcohol prevention, conflict resolution and other valuable life skills. Guest speakers discuss self-esteem, healthy eating and exercise, stress and anger management. Animosity between daughters and mother is tackled head on. Girls also get to go on trips together and participate in community service, as they would in any other traditional Girl Scout troop. Once the mothers return home, many choose to continue in the program with their daughters in a special troop for bridged M.E.N.D. participants.
Since its inception, Project M.E.N.D. has served more than 80 mothers and daughters, providing a community that supports and strengthens womens efforts to make positive changes in their lives. For the girls, doing things with their mothers has a life-changing impact. Program participants report better decision-making skills, a desire to help those around them and a closer relationship with loved ones.
For more information about Project M.E.N.D., please contact Sheila Harbert, Director of Girl Scouts Beyond Bars at 918-749-2551.
Project M.E.N.D launches Project Reconnect(Pilot Project 2008-2009)
Building on its current success of Project M.E.N.D. (Mothers Encouraging and Nurturing their Daughters), a statewide Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program that provides life-changing skills for families in five Oklahoma correctional facilities, Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma is excited to add its re-entry component, Project Reconnect.
This year-long pilot program helps offenders transition from prison into their community. It consists of family-oriented programming conducted by Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, vocational training (welding) held at Tulsa Technology Center, drug counseling provided by Helping Women Recover, tutoring for children of incarcerated parents and a 12-step drug support group conducted by HOPE (Helping Oppressed People Elevate).
The passionate vision to help these mothers make a successful transition was evident during the Project Reconnect Orientation as representatives of the various organizations shared their hope, their commitment, and even their tears with the families. Among those sharing their inspiration were Ann Tandy, Department of Corrections; Monroe Nichols of Mayor Kathy Taylors office; Neila Reeves, Helping Women Recover; Amy Santee, George Kaiser Foundation; Karen Morgan, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma; and Joyce McClellan, Tulsa Technology Center.
With no cost to the offender, Project Reconnect provides: Vocational Training (Welding) Transportation to Training Drug Counseling Housing Assistance Clothing Assistance Job Placement Post-Graduation Meals During Training Life Changing Workshops Transportation for Children for Enrichment Activities Tutoring for Children Fun Outings for Children Free Girl Scout Registration
Requirements: Must be a mother/grandmother. Must pass a Workforce skills test. Must participate in Project M.E.N.D. Must complete 12-week training program. Must participate in evaluations. Must meet physical requirements of training . Must be community eligible.
Project Reconnect is made possible by collaborations with Workforce Oklahoma, Tulsa Technology Center, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and the George Kaiser Family Foundation.
You can make a difference!Our Project M.E.N.D. girls are making a difference ... so can you. Click here to see what they are doing and support Girl Scouts Beyond Bars!
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