“Remember those in prison [and their families] as if you were their fellow prisoners.” Hebrews 13:3, paraphrase added
Ministry Opportunities to Families of Inmates
-
Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree – Christmas gifts for children of inmates
- PF’s Angel Tree also offers other great suggestions for ministering to children and families of inmates, including a Back-to-School party to provide school supplies, Family Fun Day to introduce Angel Tree families to your church family, Caregiver’s (Mom’s) Night Out, Letter Writing Club for Angel Tree kids to communicate with their incarcerated parent, assist with prison visits and more (www.prisonfellowship.org/angeltree-resources/resources-for-going-beyond/ministry-ideas).
- Back-to-school supplies
- Birthday cards and gifts for kids (and/or a monetary gift for the parent/caregiver to be able to buy gifts for their children)
- Parent/Caregiver birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day/Father’s Day gifts (best idea … take the children to the store to help purchase these gifts so they feel pride in giving them to their parent/caregiver)
- Mentoring
- Tutoring
- Provide concert tickets, movie passes, sport registration fees and equipment, and other special gifts that will allow children of inmates to participate in activities with other kids their age
- Organize scholarships for single parents (with an incarcerated spouse) to attend conferences and other events, i.e. Hearts at Home, Beth Moore Living Proof Live, etc. for single mom’s
- Provide a spa day (women
) or fishing/hunting adventure (men ) for single parent/caregivers - Supportive friendships
- Shared experiences with family member in prison (i.e. same Bible or book study, devotion that they all read the same day)
- Transportation to/from prison for visits (travel costs, transport families)
- Housing, food, clothing
- Information about social services and other single parent ministries available in your region (car repair, parents night out event)
- Invite inmates’ families to a supportive church family
- Gift cards for basic needs (a gift card tree is a beautiful Christmas gift)
- Invite family/children of inmates to your family getaway/vacation, or provide for such an opportunity for those families
- Anytime you encounter an unexpected “budget-buster” expenditure, consider meeting this need for the family of an inmate as well (school supplies each fall, Christmas gifts, car repair, medical needs)
- Read a great new Karen Kingsbury novel? Subscribe to a great parenting magazine, People magazine, etc.? Pass it on to an inmate’s spouse.
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