Bringing Christmas to Children of Parents in Incarceration

We all know that incarceration is designed to be punishment for past deeds. Many of us do not recognize or understand the punishment imposed on the families of inmates, especially the children who miss their parents during the holiday season.

Working with the Harris County Sheriff's Department, Navidad en el Barrio holds an event that brings families together with trustees, inmates whose good behavior has earned them special privileges and trust. Children who have only seen their parent through glass visitation booths for years receive presents from their parent and are able to hold, kiss and talk one-on-one with the person they miss most. 

It all started with one telephone call to Navidad en el Barrio. A young girl asked for just one thing at Christmas: "To be able to kiss my daddy." They had visited their father in the Fort Bend County Jail many times, but they were separated by glass in the visitation booths. Volunteers contacted the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Department and the event was organized and in 2010 moved to the Harris County Sherrif's Department.

The little girl got her wish and more. Her father met her with presents, they enjoyed pizza and lots of visitation, even a special visit with Santa Claus. For the first time in years, she held her daddy and spoke to him like other children.

Much is always learned by all:

• Inmates at the Harris County Jail discover a new reason to follow the rules and be recognized for good behavior.
   

• Inmates discover that the sheriff is more than an experienced law enforcement officer. He is also a person who genuinely cares about them and their families.
   

• Navidad en al Barrio discovered that the world would be a better place if we could all pay a little more attention to just one little girl.

In This Section ...

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Christmas Program
Christmas Eve Program
Vasquez Memorial Award
Santa on the Inside
Snow Day in Texas
Young-At-Heart Party
Scholarship Program