OUR MISSION
Project Avary builds brighter futures for children with incarcerated parents by providing youth with a community of belonging, increased self-knowledge, and valuable life and leadership skills. We are committed to ending generational cycles of incarceration, one child at a time.
Children are the invisible victims of mass incarceration. Because of this, they come into our program feeling isolated and alone. At Project Avary we provide a safe space where they can be themselves and where they can be open and honest about their feelings of shame, isolation, and grief. No longer do they have to carry their burden inside the loneliness of shame and stigma, but they get to move through the shadows of their experience alongside a community of peers who are going through the same thing as them.
Children with Parents in Prison Demographics
1 in 28
More than 2.7 million children in the U.S. have an incarcerated parent. That is 1 in 28 children.
10M
Approximately 10 million children have experienced parental incarceration at some point in their lives.
1 in 9
One in 9 African American children (11.4%), 1 in 28 Hispanic children (3.5%), and 1 in 57 white children (1.8%) in the United States have an incarcerated parent.
Under 10
Approximately half of children with incarcerated parents are under ten years old
Source: Rutgers University | Camden
About Project Avary
10-Year Avary Youth Leadership Program
Project Avary is successful because of our early intervention and our long-term commitment to our participants. We begin working with a child at age 8 and make a 10 year commitment until the age of 18. The most powerful thing we offer is the "Avary Family": a consistent community of support where the universal experience of having a parent in prison is a lasting point of connection and belonging. Within this community of belonging, children heal and grow strong, and they know they are no longer alone and in isolation with their struggle. Throughout the year, our youth gather with the Avary Family on outings tailored to teach and challenge, as they gain the critical social and emotional life-skills to break the cycle of generational incarceration. Key activities include:
Sleep-away retreats & summer camp
Year-round therapeutic outdoor adventure activities
One-on-one mentoring
Family camp
Leadership training
Emotional and social development
Job-skills training as Youth Counselors
Family support & case management
90% of participants show growth in psycho-social areas that are shown to support the healthy development of children with incarcerated parents.
The Avary Family Community Program
We’re developing and piloting a community program where children from anywhere in the US can access these online weekly support groups. This program provides children and youth with a sense of belonging and connection with the Avary Family. Groups include fun games and community building activities, and importantly provide space for children to share about their experiences within a community of others who are going through the same thing.
Training
We provide training on best practices for supporting children with justice-involved parents. This training will support organizations and institutions to better meet the needs of children and their families. Our training is created and led by people with direct experience of parental incarceration -- many trainers are alumni of Project Avary.
“It’s nice to be out, and away from family, and getting to share things with other people...not forcefully, but, like, encouraged to.”
“Camp means the world to me. I love Project Avary, and I can’t wait for camp this year. Everything is my favorite: swimming, carnival, formal dinner, sports day, everything! Coming together as a family makes me feel safe.It’s like my second home. We may not be an actual family, but we’re the Avary Family.”
“Before this group I really didn’t have nobody to talk to, to be honest, and now it’s, like, I can talk about it, and when I do it’s, like, pressure off my chest.”
Donate to Project Avary
You Can Help Children of Incarcerated Parents Build Brighter Futures
Donate now to make a difference in the life of a child with a parent in prison.