Mission Statement


IN ARMS REACH, INC. is a non-profit art, music, prison visitation
and educational mentoring organization that exclusively services children whose parents are or were formerly offenders of the criminal justice system.


IN ARMS REACH

  • Empowers a child by giving him or her academic assistance with qualified mentors, the opportunity to develop new skills and realize their full potential.

  • Breaks the potential cycle of incarceration passed from parent to child by offering one-on-one and group counseling in a supportive setting.

  • Helps build, nurture and maintain parent and child existing relationship to reduce feelings of abandonment, anger, guilt and quell the anxiety children of imprisoned parents are particularly prone - by providing FREE trips to visit their parent(s).

  • Provides a voice for children enrolled in the public school system through meetings with officials, involvement in curriculum, encouragement and supervision of higher grades and academic excellence.

  • Strives to increase public awareness about the effects of parental incarceration on children nationwide.

  • In Arms Reach Inc. works in conjunction with City College for the City University of New York in partnership with the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education. Programs and workshops are run on the
    City College campus.


OBJECTIVE

IN ARMS REACH Inc. focuses on reinforcing positive behavior, decreasing emotional withdrawal by nurturing self-confidence and creative skills. We aim to prepare each child for admission to college so that they may lead productive, crime-free lives. We engage and motivate prison officials and parents to become our partner to realize the effect incarceration has on children. We also aim to give imprisoned parents the strength to better themselves through our commitment to serving their children.


POPULATION

Must be New York City residents between the ages of 7 and 18 with a parent who is currently or has previously served a prison sentence. IN ARMS REACH Inc. recruits through after-school programs, group homes; foster care agencies, NYS and federal prisons, community-based youth and social service organizations. Members are required to attend regularly and present their report cards in order to remain in the program.


IN ARMS REACH Inc. recruits through after-school programs, group homes; foster care agencies, NYS and federal prisons, community-based youth and social service organizations. Members are required to attend regularly and present their report cards in order to remain in the program.

 

JOHN FORTE: “RUNNIN' UP THAT HILL”