Family Bonding

Incarcerated mothers and their children enjoyed a special time of reconciliation thanks to True Freedom’s partnership with Proverbs 226 ministries. From an emotional opening ceremony with kids and moms running into each other’s arms to a carnival complete with cotton candy and face painting, this event at the Northeast Reintegration Center fostered bonding that most of these families hadn’t known for years. Participants feasted on fried chicken and Chaplain Mark Stradiot shared a relatable message. Next, inmates and children wrote down the names of anyone they needed to forgive. The special paper used was then placed in water, where it dissolved, just like our sins, in the sea of forgetfulness. Later, mothers read letters of apology to children and washed their feet. Missed birthdays were acknowledged; moms danced with their children; and families selected colorful, donated school supplies, according to each child’s taste. The room was filled with tears and smiles as relationships grew stronger. Here’s what inmates are saying:

“It’s hard to find words to express how my experience at the Proverbs 226 event has affected me as a mother. Not only did it give me a day with my daughter that we will both treasure forever, but it allowed us to begin to heal the wounds that my actions have caused our relationship. I was finally able to take full responsibility for the things I had done to hurt her. By apologizing and asking her forgiveness, I also set a new standard for myself and made sure that we both knew I would be accountable for my actions in the future. I cannot express enough how much I appreciate True Freedom Ministries for giving me this chance to lay the foundation for a new start with my baby girl.” –Ashley Sekely

Thank you, partners, for supporting this beautiful, heart-healing work. Please pray for these precious families. We praise God who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think.

Thank you for your partnership with us. True Freedom Ministries is having a huge impact in the lives of so many inmates. Would you prayerfully consider making a monthly or one-time gift to support this amazing work that was commissioned by Jesus Himself (Mathew 25:36)?

www.truefreedomministries.com/donate

Community West Foundation

#KeepTheGoodGoing #ClevelandNonprofit #TrueFreedomMinistries