Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Announcements
2010 Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award
Mercy Heart Legacy Day with Mom, Best Family Program
The Mercy Heart Legacy Day with Mom program is designed to foster a sense of personal identity and self-worth for each member of the family, as well as, the need for cooperation so that each member may know where they belong within the family unit. Twice a year at the Halbert Unit in Burnet, Texas, Mercy Heart Legacy Day with Mom organizes a day for the incarcerated mother, her children, and the children's caretaker to spend together in activities that help build relationships and develop an understanding of how incarceration has affected their lives. The group provides volunteers, activities, a meal, and snacks for the day, and will assist with travel expenses for the family if necessary. One offender that participated in the program wrote: "The Legacy Day with Mom planted an awesome seed. I am eternally grateful for them and all they did for me and my son." For their commitment to the restoration of families, the Mercy Heart Legacy Day with Mom program has been selected to receive the award for Best Family Program.