FAMILY PRIDE

The aim of Connexion’s Family Pride program is to guide incarcerated persons and their families to build their capacity to function in safe, healthy, and responsible ways in order to help ensure successful reunification upon release.  To that end, we lead pre-screened family groups in 6 workshops over a two-day weekend at a hotel.  In each workshop session we share information, teach and practice skills, provide supporting printed materials, model positive attitudes, and promote family bonding. 

          Selection criteria for the men include: evident sincere desire to learn the information and skills we offer, and proven reliability, as indicated by their eligibility for work release or weekend passes.  Eligible family members are wives, fiancés, grown brothers and sisters, parents, grandparents -- in other words, persons who have had long-term relationships with the incarcerated men and who are planning to continue those relationships long-term.  Connexion staff depends on supervisory personnel at the lockup facility to recruit their residents who meet these requirements.  The men in turn invite their family members to participate. 

           The retreat-style setting of the family reunification program allows for the entire family to be present, permits participants to concentrate on the business at hand, and makes possible the delivery of a crash course in the concepts and skills we cover.

           After completing the six workshops, participants will be able to report that:

· They believe they can communicate better with their family members.

·    They believe they will be able to communicate better with their children.

·   Their problem-solving skills are improved and more effective.

·   They can effectively work together to achieve their goals for the family.

· They have the tools to enhance their understanding of each other.

· They have acquired new tools for managing anger and/or stress.

The United Way of Genesee County has funded this program since its inception. 

If you would like to receive further information or explore the possibility of adapting this program for an audience that you have in mind, please call Herbert Winfrey at (810) 600-2725.