When a parent is incarcerated, having contact with his/her children can reinforce motivation to succeed with rehabilitation efforts. Pathfinders, in collaboration with the Department of Corrections, the Children’s Justice Alliance and other community-based organizations (see below) facilitates child-friendly visiting opportunities in several state prisons for parents who participate in Parenting Inside Out classes. Patterned after Through a Child’s Eyes (TACE) events held at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility and supported by the Wilsonville Rotary, these events vary from institution to institution.

The events provide an opportunity for clients to practice and demonstrate their new parenting skills, and begin to rebuild trust with their children and with their children’s caregivers. In most communities, the programs also offer an opportunity for “reach-in” to begin, to establish supportive connections with service organizations that will assist clients during their transition back to the community, and to give the children mentoring and opportunities to join programs such as Girl Scouts Beyond Bars.

Community organizations that have participated in and supported these events include Delta Society Therapy Dogs, Oregon CURE, CRCI Prison Advisory Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi program, Boys and Girls Aid Mentor Portland program, Family of Friends mentor program, Multnomah County Library, Salvation Army, Lions Clubs, Albina Rotary and the Center for Family Success. Additional support in the form of discounted catering and other donations for these events has been provided by Safeway, Fred Meyer, New Seasons, Alpenrose Dairy, Pizza Hut and Chipotle.