Rockville Correctional Facility’s Hope Center Program Reconnects Families

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ROCKVILLE, IN – Recently, the Rockville Correctional Facility (RCF) Hope Center Program hosted its Annual Summer Picnic where the fiesta theme brought a sense of celebration and family fun.  Thirty-one children and 17 mothers enjoyed the sunshine with bubble-making, face painting, a photo booth, foosball and outdoor play.  The children and mothers also created dream catchers, piñatas and “stained glass” ornaments which were sent home with the children.

The RCF Hope Center Program is a home-like environment with toys, games, books and comfortable seating offering interactive parenting classes and extended children’s visits to eligible offenders. The Annual Summer Picnic is the highlight of that program. Mothers and children spend three fun-filled hours together enjoying play time, creativity and food. These mothers earned this special privilege by successfully completing 16 classes addressing various parenting skills and topics, and by remaining conduct-free over the past 12 months.

Lunch was prepared by RCF In2Work participants, a collaborative culinary educational program between the US Department of Labor and the IDOC.  Fiesta-goers enjoyed a fare including Spanish rice, fruit cups, popsicles and juice.  Burrito toppings such as, sour cream, olives, shredded cheese, and pico de gallo, were optional.

Any child relative who regularly visits a Hope Center Program participant can attend the picnic; however, the program’s emphasis is on mother/child relationships.  RCF Parenting program coordinator, Jude Ciancone explained, “The aim of the Hope Center Program is to strengthen and nurture the bonds between mother and child and in some cases, re-establish, that relationship.” Since 2013 the RCF Hope Center Program has had approximately 500 participating mothers.

 

Hope Center Program
Hope Center Program