Pure Heart Foundation
ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
To embrace children of incarcerated parents (COIP) and empower them to break the cycle of generational involvement in the criminal justice system.
OUR VISION
To provide all children with incarcerated parents an opportunity to reimagine their life confidently knowing that they’re seen, supported, and have equal access to resources and opportunities that will help navigate them to thrive in life and end the cycle of generational incarceration.
THE CHALLENGE
Currently 2.7 million children in the U.S
have a parent incarcerated
1 in 9 African American Children
1 in 28 Latino Children
1 in 57 White Children
228,000 children in Michigan alone have had a parent incarcerated before reaching the age of 10, ranking Michigan in the top ten states with children of incarcerated parent.
4 in 10 Children have a incarcerated parent in Detroit
1 in 10 Children have a incarcerated parent in Michigan
Studies suggest that children with incarcerated parents are seven times more likely to be entangled in the criminal justice system based on their parent's incarceration. Children of incarcerated parents (COIP) are at higher risk to suffer from emotional, social, educational, and financial distress. COIP are the silent victims of mass incarceration and often times suffers in silence.
OUR
14 Scholars
has successfully graduated high school and now called Pure Heart Cycle Breakers
high school graduation rate since its inception in 2015
Pure Heart has a
100%
0%
of Pure Heart
Scholars
have entered the criminal justice system
Pure Heart’s Approach to Breaking the Cycle
Pure Heart has a multi-pronged holistic model that focuses on 6 critical areas, and they are the following:
Mental Health, Academic Enrichment, Family Reunification, Recreation and Arts, Cycle Breaker Initiative and Mentorship
Our wraparound approach provides our scholars and families with unique programs designed specifically to support their needs. Through fostering a community that understands the needs of children with incarcerated parents, providing a safe place where COIP can connect with other youth experiencing the same barriers and providing Pure Heart holistic program model. Our approach has been successful, sustainable and our scholars are continuously breaking the cycle of generational incarceration.
OUR SCHOLAR PROGRAMS
Academic Enrichment
We want our Scholars to thrive educationally. Focusing on our Scholars academic enrichment increases the opportunity for advancement in their education and future career endeavors. Children of incarcerated parents have a greater chance of breaking the cycle of incarceration if they successfully complete high school.
Family Reunification
When a child communicates and visits their parent while incarcerated, the child is least likely to have abandonment barriers, behavioral, and comprehension barriers. Family Reunification is a critical component to our holistic model because it helps improve, heal and reunify our scholars and their incarcerated parents.
Recreational & Arts
Recreational & Arts allows our scholars to socially develop while interacting with their Pure Heart friends and community. Children of incarcerated parents often feel isolated, alone and unrelatable. This program provides normalcy and it shields them from their reality through fun, engaging and life rememberable experiences.
