Foreverfamily, Inc

Happy Holidays from Foreverfamily!!!

2011-11-28T11:48:00.000-08:00

This letter exemplifies one of the more than 100,000 Georgia children struggling to maintain a relationship with their mother who is incarcerated. Did you know that the average sentence for a woman in Georgia is 6 years and 8 months? More than 90% of these women are mothers, leaving behind children, most of who are between the ages of 8 and 10 when she leaves home. On average, these mothers are incarcerated more than 100 miles from their children's home.

For the past 24 years, Foreverfamily has been providing more than a safe space for these children to learn and grow in and more than a monthly visit encouragement and compassion, ensuring every child knows they are beautiful, important, capable, smart, wonderful, and most importantly, loved.

This year there are more children separated from their parent(s) than ever before. Due to the economy and budget cuts, Foreverfamily needs your help more than ever to reach the goal that will allow us to continue changing lives. Please make a generous pledge, not for charity, but for change. 80 cents out of every dollar you give goes directly to programs for Foreverfamily children and families. Children with an incarcerated parent have been left behind, but you have the power to make all the difference in their lives, to give them a chance to succeed, a chance we believe, every child deserves.

Thank you for your commitment to change,

Beth Wettlin

Program Director

Foreverfamily Atlanta

Interested in ways to support???

Healing In His Wings Webinar: November 9, 2011 7pm

2011-11-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Foreverfamily is GOING DIGITAL!!

2011-09-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

Foreverfamily wants to take this time to update our contacts, re-connect with old friends, and make some new ones! As some of you may know, we are now on Twitter, Blogspot, and Youtube, AS WELL AS Facebook and www.foreverfam.org. Even with all of our new forms of outreach, we are still communicating through e-mail, mail, and via phone!

With these many forms of "Keeping in Touch," we would like to make sure that we keep up with you in whichever way works for you! For the next 4 weeks, we will be updating your information and would like for you to help us keep you informed by filling out our survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/fvjkmgx!

This is also the perfect time for you to tell your friends about Foreverfamily, through your likes, follows, subscriptions, and by sending them the link to our survey! Help us get the word out about the great things happening at Foreverfamily!

Georgia Disciples Women Retreat - September 23-25, 2011

2011-09-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

The Georgia Disciples Women Rereat 2011 is an opportunity for women to come together to discover, to hear, to experience, and to share our stories. Every story will vary; some will be about our faith, our families, or our life experience. We may think we are the only ones going through a particular situation, but sharing stories reminds us that we are not alone; what has helped you may help a sister. Our keynote speaker Sandra Barnhill says “Our stories as women are so poignant, difficult, strong, powerful and revealing about how we live out our faith day to day. While our stories [can be] difficult, I really see the hand – the providence of God – in each of our lives.”

Sandra Barnhill, Keynote Speaker

In 2004 when Disciple Sandra Barnhill was honored with the Leadership for a Changing World Award, the Ford Foundation asserted that she is “tackling the nation’s most entrenched social problems getting results and changing lives.” Ms. Barnhill has used her voice and actions to affect lives in a positive way to bring change.

For over 20 years Ms. Barnhill, an attorney, has been an activist and national advocate for prisoners, their children and family members. She is the founder and National President of Foreverfamily, Inc, formerly Aid to Children of Imprisoned Mothers, Inc (AIM), a national non profit. Headquartered in Atlanta with affiliates in Atlanta, Louisville, Kentucky and Austin, Texas, Foreverfamily provides direct service programming for children and families affected by parental incarceration.

A woman of deep faith, Ms. Barnhill has been involved in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on a local, regional and general church level. A charter member of Ray of Hope Christian Church where she has served in a variety of capacities, Ms. Barnhill is a former Moderator of the Christian Church in Georgia. As the first African American to hold that position, she served a two-year term beginning in 2001. Under her dedicated leadership, the Region reopened Camp Christian, started five new churches and called its first female Interim Regional Minister.

Click HERE to Learn More or Register!!

Healing In His Wings Webinar - 9.20.11

2011-09-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

Click Here to Register

Healing Communities Partnership

2011-09-19T08:17:00.000-07:00

Healing Communities is an innovative approach to prison ministry and prisoner reentry that begins with the caring resources of the local congregation. Since its development by the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) in 2006, the Healing Communities has been adopted by congregations across the country, with implementation by such groups as the Christian Association for Prisoner Aftercare, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, and the current host- the Philadelphia Leadership Foundation.

New AECF report, Healing Communities: A Framework for Congregations in their Ministry to Families Affected by Incarceration(December 2010) tells how faith communities can play a unique role in healing individuals, families and communities devastated by crime and cycles of incarceration. They can help build a community consensus around the challenges facing families with an incarcerated loved one, as well as the individuals returning home from incarceration. Faith institutions, including faith-based organizations, but particularly houses of worship, can serve as resources for transforming neighborhoods into places where family and social support are available to people affected by crime and incarceration. To view the report, click here. Many thanks to the Annie E. Casey Foundation for their continued leadership and generous support.

Foreverfamily would like to announce our new and exciting partnership with Healing CommuniTIES!!! To learn more about how Healing Communities connects with Foreverfamily, Visit there website at HealingCommunitiesUSA.org

Concrete, Steel, & Paint

2011-09-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

Cindy Burstein and Tony Heriza's film Concrete, Steel and Paint, follows our Healing Walls project at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Graterford. The film, originally titled Brushes with Life, explores the impact of combining collaborative mural-making with elements of restorative justice. By documenting several years of our projects involving prisoner artists, crime victims, adjudicated youth, and community volunteers, the film shows the evolution of our efforts in this area and explores both the promise and the manifold challenges of this important work. Through the voices and stories of a group of key participants—inmates, victims of crime, engaged community members, and Mural Arts staff—the film raises issues about current approaches to crime, incarceration, and rehabilitation and explores the role that community arts can play in promoting justice and reconciliation.

This weekend Foreverfamily, inc. viewed Conrecete, Steel, & Paint along with WonderRoot at the Clarkston Community Center on September 11, 2011. This is an amazing film and project that raising important question about the healing process the prisoners, victims of crimes, and the families of prisoners.

Today's the day: Dine Out at Agave

2011-08-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

The moment you have all been waiting for has finally arrived!!!

JUST IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING-- Although we would love to see your beautiful and handsome faces at Agave Restaurant ( 242 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30312) on Monday, August 29, 2011, between 5-11. . . There are alternative ways to support!

TAKE-OUT COUNTS: If you know you are hungry and want to eat some great food for a great cause, Take-out will still count towards supporting Foreverfamily in it's mission to serve the children of incarcerated parents.

DONATIONS: If you're too far to drive, or made other plans, you can always support us by making a donation at www.Foreverfam.org, writing "Agave Dine Out" in the comment box.

SPREAD THE WORD: Just in case you can't come or even if you can, we would love for you to SPREAD THE WORD. . . through facebook, twitter, blogspot, Youtube, E-mail, Phone, In Passing, At work, or any other way to rally support for a great cause. Just be sure to mention these alternative options as well!

. . .

Oh yeah. . . and don't forget about the buttons :)

Just a little token of our appreciation for your generous donations to Foreverfamily's 30 Days of #Back2Skool Campaign. Please come out to get your button!

(Don't worry though, just in case you can't come out but may support in other way, we will be mailing buttons out after this event)

Did Someone say Buttons???

2011-08-26T07:59:00.000-07:00

If you donated to the 30 Days of #Back2Skool Campaign then we have something for you! During the Dine Out at Agave Restaurant on Monday, August 29, 2011 between 5pm and 11pm, you can pick up your Foreverfamily #Back2Skool Donation Button!

We appreciate your donations and would love to show you and the rest of the world just how much!

Agave Dine Out -- Can't Physically Be There. . . No Worries

2011-08-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

JUST IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING-- Although we would love to see your beautiful and handsome faces at Agave Restaurant ( 242 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30312) on Monday, August 29, 2011, between 5-11. . . There are alternative ways to support!

TAKE-OUT COUNTS: If you know you are hungry and want to eat some great food for a great cause, Take-out will still count towards supporting Foreverfamily in it's mission to serve the children of incarcerated parents.

DONATIONS: If you're too far to drive, or made other plans, you can always support us by making a donation at www.Foreverfam.org, writing "Agave Dine Out" in the comment box.

SPREAD THE WORD: Just in case you can't come or even if you can, we would love for you to SPREAD THE WORD. . . through facebook, twitter, blogspot, Youtube, E-mail, Phone, In Passing, At work, or any other way to rally support for a great cause. Just be sure to mention these alternative options as well!

JOIN US!

2011-08-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

RSVP VIA ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

FACEBOOK | E-MAIL | EVITE

Echoes of Incarceration

2011-08-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

Please check out the following two part must see video created by children of former incarcerated parents on the effects, feelings, and impact of parental incarceration.

Via Prison Fellowship: http://www.prisonfellowship.org/blog/entry/6/15480

30 Days of Back2Skool Final Report!!

2011-08-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

Special Thanks to all of the wonderful people that helped to make Foreverfamily's 30 Day of Back2Skool Campaign a Success!

You have not only hit the mark of raising $2,000.00 in 30 days

BUT. . .

YOU HAVE SURPASSED IT!!!

Together we have raised $2,561.00 to support the children of incarcerated parents in Foreverfamily's After-school Program!

You have helped to contribute to Field Trips, Arts & Craft Supplies, Math, Science, and Literature Enrichment, and any other supports necessary to equip our children with the tools to success!!

Want to learn more ways to support??

If so, Please contact us at (404) 223-1200 or visit our website at

www.Foreverfam.org!

LAST DAY OF FOREVERFAMILY'S BACK2SKOOL CAMPAIGN

2011-08-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

Special thanks to all of those that supported our 30 Days of Back2Skool campaign!

Today is the last day to make your donation to Foreverfamily in support of children with incarcerated parents.

Please continue to spread the word,

Donations can be made until 12 midnight @

www.Foreverfam.org

Also, make sure to check us out on:

Facebook, Twitter, & Youtube!

5 MORE DAYS TO MAKE THE GRADE!

2011-08-10T06:31:00.000-07:00

With your help, we have raised $1,945.00 to support Foreverfamily’s After-School Program (ASP), which provides a safe space, educational enrichment, and healthy snacks ALL school year long to children with incarcerated parents.

BUT. . .

We still have 5 MORE DAYS to reach our goal of $2,000.00 (which equates to about $200 a month) to fund field trips, arts & crafts supplies, and other supports necessary to serve Foreverfamily children throughout the year.

***

If you want to know how to make your contribution there are:

4 Easy Ways to Give

1.) INDIVIDUAL GIVING

You can make your donation of any size at www.Foreverfam.org, although we are asking for $20 person, we are accepting any gift you would like to offer in support of children with incarcerated parents

2.) GROUP GIVING

We encourage you to get others involved! Pool your office, family, and/or friends together to make donations and reach our Honor Roll, Team Player, or Best All Around Status!

3.) SPREAD THE WORD

Tell your friends! We would love for you to like us on Facebook, Follow us on twitter, and subscribe to our blogspot and Youtube to stay updated, but also to help us spread the word!

4.) AGAVE DINE OUT

To celebrate our 30 Days of Back2Skool campaign we would like to invite you to eat with us at Agave restaurant, 242 Boulevard SE. Atlanta, GA 30312, on August 29th anytime between 5pm & 11pm.! A percentage of all proceeds will be donated to Foreverfamily!

***

Thank you for the support and we thank you in advance

for helping us reach our mark!

Will You Help Us Make the Grade?

2011-08-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORT

You have helped us raised $1,530.00!

We still have 13 MORE DAYS to reach our goal of

$2,000.00

Please help support us by donating at www.Foreverfam.org

and spreading the word through:

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BLOGSPOT

21 Days Left to Reach Our Goal!!

2011-07-25T08:09:00.000-07:00

Have you made your donation yet?

If not. . . Here's how:

Donate TODAY at www.Foreverfam.org!!!

Special thanks to all of you that have already made your contribution to Foreverfamily's 30 Day of Back2Skool Campaign!

Foreverfamily's 30 Days of #Back2Skool Campaign

2011-07-18T05:45:00.000-07:00

Foreverfamily has kicked off its 24th year with the 30 Days of Back2Skool campaign from July 15^th - August 15^th, 2011, ending with a celebration “Dine Out” on August 29^th at Atlanta’s own Agave restaurant, 242 Boulevard SE. Atlanta, GA 30312 between the times of 5pm and 11pm. The purpose of the 30 Days of Back2Skool campaign is to support Foreverfamily’s After-School Program (ASP), which provides a safe space, educational enrichment, and healthy snacks ALL school year long to children with incarcerated parents.

You can help us reach our goal of $2,000 (which equates to about $200 a month) to help fund field trips, arts & crafts supplies, and other supports necessary to serve these children throughout the year, by donating at least $20! This is the average cost of one person’s meal at most restaurants around Atlanta, which will provide at least two children with an enrichment experience that will have a longer lasting effect than any meal!

Foreverfamily would also like for you to come eat with us at the Agave restaurant, 242 Boulevard SE. Atlanta, GA 30312, on August 29^th anytime between 5pm & 11pm. This will be a celebration of your combined efforts to support children with incarcerated parents through our 30 Days of Back2Skool campaign, as well as the opportunity to eat, learn about ways to stay connected, and meet our Foreverfamily family. We would love for you to participate in the campaign and “Dine Out”. Both events will be a great support for our ASP program.

To make a donation to the 30 Days of Back2Skool campaign, visit our website at www.foreverfam.org or send your donations to 387 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., 2^nd Floor, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30310. When making your donation, be sure to write “Back2Skool” in the comment section of the donation page or on your check, so that we can add your name to our Back2Skool Roster and send you your contribution button.

To support us at the “Dine Out” at the Agave restaurant, 242 Boulevard SE. Atlanta, GA 30312, on August 29^th, all you have to do is show up, enjoy some great food, and a percentage of your meal will be donated to our cause.

Foreverfamily is a national non-profit organization that assists inmates, their children and other family members in maintaining those critically important family ties that can become strained during a parent’s incarceration. Foreverfamily works to ensure that all children have the opportunity to be surrounded by the love of family. Foreverfamily is headquartered in Atlanta with affiliate offices in Atlanta and Louisville, KY.

Foreverfamily National headquarters is located at 387 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., 2^nd Floor, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30310. Our telephone is 404-223-1200 and fax number is 404-223-1010.

Foreverfamily Programs!

2011-05-24T13:54:00.000-07:00