The Family Circle provides support specifically for the family’s, partners, and friends of people directly impacted by incarceration. We create spaces where those indirectly impacted have the opportunity to be in community with others who have shared experiences. We strive to address issues such as trauma, shame and isolation that often result from secondary trauma. We aspire to assist loved ones in meeting needs for connection, support, and resources. Our goal is to encourage empowerment and build leadership voices to be strong advocates for systemic change.

Incarceration hurts everyone. The community, the family, and the individual. It can disrupt the family’s ability to achieve stability in every major life area; financially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. When loved ones transition home the couple or family continue to experience an array of disadvantages from establishing employment to finding housing. The circumstances created by oppressive systems and entrenched stigma put an incredible strain on couples and families. We often have the unique experience of truly seeing and loving the people we are in relationship with, but not being able to get the support we need from others or due to the shame attached to incarceration.

As family, friends, and partners we can find ourselves feeling isolated and misunderstood even by the people closest to us. Often times it can be a struggle to find balance between managing the pressures of our daily obligations and responsibilities while supporting our loved ones on the inside. There are times when our loved ones are experiencing so much duress as a result of the negative impact of incarceration that it may not be appropriate to voice our concerns with them either. Whether you are a parent, partner, child, friend, or other family of a loved one on the inside we would love to hear from you. Mostly we want you to know you are not alone. In the effort to community build your wisdom and support is needed in the circle as well as any resources you might be able to share.

We work directly with Freedom Project as well as other community providers to gain access to resources. While we want the family circle to be a place for healing and support we also want people to get access to tangible support such as items and/or advocacy. You are welcome to call and share and relationship build or stop by just to provide a resource or ask about a resources. We strive to address and meet whatever need is present. During COVID 19 we are meeting in a zoom room every 2nd and 4th Sunday at 3:00. If groups are not your thing or you prefer one-on-one we do check in calls monthly. You are also welcome to leave your camera off during zoom calls. We want to take time to acknowledge everything going on in our country right now and the additional stress on families due to COVID 19. We are struggling to stay in contact with our loved ones and there is much anxiety about what to expect. Please know that we are here for you and look forward to being a support.