Get On The Bus, a program of The Center for Restorative Justice Works, brings children from throughout the state of California to visit their mothers and fathers in prison.
An annual event, Get On The Bus offers free transportation for the children and their caregivers to the prison, provides travel bags, a photo of each child with his/her parent, and meals for the day all at no cost to the child’s family. On the bus trip home, following a four-hour visit, each child receives a teddy bear with a letter from his/her parent and post-event counseling.
Get on the bus offers a priceless opportunity for a mother’s touch, a father’s hug, a family photo, a private conversation, and a connection with hope and healing.
How can you help?
Our St. James & St. Leo Community will be assembling travel bags for 40 children& teensand 8 adult chaperones who will be traveling by bus to Folsom Prison at the end of June.
Donations needed:
Snacks & activities for boys and girls ages:
- 0 – 5 years (10 children)
- 7 – 12 years (12 children)
- 13 – 17 years (18 teens)
- Snacks & activities for 8 adult chaperones
Suggested items:
coloring & activity books, crayons, colored pencils, sticker books, card games, magazines, smallsnack bags of chips, cookies, or fruity snacks, water & fruit drinks, travel pillows & blankets, small cuddly stuffed animals – anything to help keep kids comfortable and busy during the long bus ride. Think of items that keep/kept your children occupied during long road trips!
Please put items in a bag, mark them “Get on the Bus” and leave them under the table in the back of the church or leave them in the Parish Office. We will also accept cash donations if you prefer to have us do the shopping!
Items Due by Sunday, June 11
For more information about this program go to The Center for Restorative Justice Works website: http://www.crjw.us
Questions? Contact Shirley Giese: shirleyjgiese@gmail.com
“I was in prison and you came to visit me … I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”Matthew 25:36, 40