The Makeba Project: Strengthening Relationships Between Young Mothers and their Children

The Second Chance Act Strengthening Relationships Between Young Fathers, Young Mothers, and Their Children provides funding to support the successful transition of young fathers and mothers as they return to their families and communities from incarceration. This program funds coordinated and comprehensive strategies that incorporate (1) mentoring and transitional reentry services proven to reduce recidivism, (2) effective parenting skills development and parent/child relationship engagement for young fathers or mothers, and (3) private and community service partnerships that promote public safety and support added positive outcomes for young parents and their children.

Friends of Island Academy (Friends) proposes to provide a responsible motherhood program, The Makeba Project, to improve lives and overall outcomes for high-risk young mothers and their children in New York City. Friends will work with 120 young mothers, ages 16 to 24, who have been detained and/or sentenced at Rikers Island. These young mothers will be united by parenthood, system involvement, and the desire to move forward from their past. Friends will offer mentoring services daily on Rikers Island and weekly post-release in the community, combined with individualized, neighborhood-based case management. Skills, knowledge, and attitudes that are necessary for effective parenting will be taught through mentoring and through existing partnerships that Friends has built over 26 years of experience working with this population of young people. CA/NCF