For children whose fathers are incarcerated--and there are 7500 DC residents in 50 prisons from here to California--displacement often has grave consequences. Contact may be lost, family structure weakened, and the reintegration of released fathers can be difficult indeed. Enter Hope House, whose dream is to reconnect fathers and kids. Through its programs, children regularly visit their fathers online, watch and listen to them as they read bedtime stories, participate in a week-long camp behind bars (the only such program in the US for dads and kids), and meet with others who are also struggling with the stress and stigma of having family members in prison. Drama, crafts, games, writing and other recreational and mentoring activities help families grow together. Hope House even commissioned and produced a play about incarceration and families (the children played themselves)--a poignant work that gave voice to the families' unique challenges. The results of all this are impressive: the Federal Bureau of Prisons has created new programs based on Hope House models, and the program continues to grow--expanding to four new prisons and adding a peer support group for returning dads. These families truly deserve all the hope your generosity can inspire. Think of the children.

Carol Fennelly, Executive Director PO Box 60682 Washington, DC 20039 301 408 1259 www.hopehousedc.org