Business

Exploring the Impact of Education: How PFEF and Inmates Help Support Children of the Incarcerated and Parolees in Education

Published

3 weeks ago

August 28, 2024

Many people are aware that the United States incarcerates the highest number of inmates worldwide. However, most do not understand the impact this has on their community and society at large.

“The nation’s strict prison sentences are not solving problems; they are creating them,” says Percy Pitzer, founder of the Pitzer Family Education Foundation (PFEF). “Instead of making the world safer, strict incarceration rates breed cycles that perpetuate and even increase crime.”

When 1.8 million incarcerated Americans are released back into the community, more than two-thirds are quickly rearrested for new crimes. What’s more, incarceration breeds a new generation of problems. Compared to their peers, the more than 5 million US boys and girls who have at least one parent in prison are six times more likely to follow their parents into involvement with the criminal justice system.

PFEF believes that education is the key to breaking the cycles of recidivism and intergenerational incarceration. For children of incarcerated parents and former inmates, access to education has the power to alter the course of their lives. For parolees, it provides a path to re-enter society with dignity.

PFEF and the National Children of the Incarcerated Scholarship Program

As a retired warden with over four decades in the US correctional system, Percy Pitzer was no stranger to recidivism and intergenerational incarceration. “I saw the cycle everywhere I looked,” he remembers. “Each time I passed a child sitting with their parents in the visiting room, I knew I was probably looking into the eyes of a future client. Without proactive support, most inmates and their children are bound to be trapped by this powerful cycle.”

Children with a parent in prison are forced to navigate psychological challenges, care deficiencies, and financial hardships. These obstacles notably hinder their educational aspirations and future prospects.

PFEF intervenes through the National Children of the Incarcerated Scholarship Program to provide scholarships that enable these children to pursue higher education. By doing so, PFEF helps to break the cycle of generational incarceration, offering a lifeline to those affected by their parents’ actions.

Applications for the National Children of the Incarcerated Scholarship Program are accepted throughout the year on a first-come, first-served basis. PFEF staff assists with financial aid applications, as their primary goal is to ensure applicants receive the resources they need to become successful students.

PFEF’s commitment goes beyond financial support to encompass emotional and logistical assistance that enhances the overall educational experience for these children. To date, their efforts have provided over 190 scholarships to children of parolees and inmates nationwide. Most notably, they have seen 133 successful graduates complete their education.

Inmates join the contributions

An impactful aspect of PFEF’s work is its dedication to involving current inmates in the scholarship program. To date, inmates in 14 state departments of corrections have collectively donated $244,034 towards college tuition costs for children of the incarcerated, which allowed the foundation to award 190 scholarships.

“Even though inmates do not have large amounts of money to contribute individually, most are eager to rally behind this cause,” remarks Pitzer. “Collectively, their contributions can make a huge difference. Best of all, when they take an active role in supporting their children’s education, it fosters a sense of responsibility and purpose.”

Furthermore, Pitzer points out how education can enhance inmates’ mental abilities and diminish the anti-social mindsets linked to criminality.

“Numerous inmates have reported that education fostered their shift away from prison ideologies towards setting constructive goals and finding a significant path in life,” he says. “By contributing to these scholarships, inmates can help develop pro-social values crucial for successful reentry into society. They know that their contributions help break the cycle of generational incarceration and provide educational opportunities that their children would probably not receive otherwise.”

Impacting recidivism with financial aid for parolees

In addition to supporting children, PFEF extends its reach to parolees re-entering society through targeted financial aid programs. The foundation partners with Lamar State College and the ABC Training Academy to provide trade certificate courses that cater to a wide range of interests and skill sets. These include a one-and-a-half-year welding program, a three-year electrical program, a three-year pipe-fitting program, a nine-month course covering industrial carpentry, a three-year course in instrumentation, and a 10-week course in scaffold building.

Since its inception, PFEF has awarded financial aid to 1,328 paroled students for the ABC Training Academy and currently offers funding to 626 students. Over the years, it has assisted 187 graduates in rejoining society with the skills they need to find stable and well-paying jobs.

By breaking the cycle of incarceration through education, PFEF transforms individual lives and contributes to broader societal change. “When we put people behind bars, we do not solve our problems,” Pitzer concludes, “but when we educate them, we can help set inmates and their children on a new path. Education gives them the tools to rise above their circumstances and break the cycles that hold them back.”

Business

Michella Filipowitz: Shaping a Future of Inclusion for Children with Disabilities

Published

2 days ago

September 15, 2024

Rosario Farell

Michella Filipowitz, a prominent model, business leader, and philanthropist, has dedicated her life to advocating for children with disabilities. Her personal story, shaped by her experiences as the mother of a child with autism, has driven her passion to build a more inclusive world where differences are not just accepted but celebrated.

Michella’s journey took a transformative turn when she became a single mother at the age of 23. Shortly after, her son, Benjamin, was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. “It was an unexpected and overwhelming moment,” Michella recalls. “No one in my family had dealt with anything like this before, but with my mother’s guidance, I was able to see Benjamin’s diagnosis not as a burden, but as a new way of understanding the world.”

Benjamin’s condition is categorized as a hidden disability. Though it’s not always obvious to others, his challenges—such as delayed speech—affect his everyday experiences. “It was difficult to watch him struggle while other kids seemed to develop so naturally,” Michella shares. “It made me realize how often children with disabilities are left out or misunderstood.”

This realization sparked a new mission for Michella: to create a world where children like Benjamin are given the same opportunities as their peers. “I knew I had to be part of the solution,” she says. “Our differences are what make us unique, and we should be embracing that, not hiding from it.”

Michella is also keenly aware of how quickly people judge others based on outward appearances. “We live in a time where everything is so public and visible, but that doesn’t mean we know the whole story,” she explains. “It’s important to have empathy and not make assumptions.”

Her advocacy work has centered on changing how schools and communities treat children with disabilities. Too often, children like Benjamin are segregated in special schools, which can further isolate them. Michella believes this approach is flawed. “Children with disabilities need to learn alongside their peers,” she says. “Only then can they grow up understanding that differences are normal, not something to be avoided.”

Her vision is clear: an education system where children of all abilities are taught together, learning to respect one another from an early age. “If we can instill the values of acceptance and understanding in kids while they’re young, we’ll build a much more inclusive society,” she says.

Michella’s commitment to helping families of children with disabilities goes beyond advocacy. She co-founded the DR Family Foundation with her fiancé to provide critical support to families who are struggling with the high costs of therapies, treatments, and education. “As a single mother, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be,” she explains. “That’s why I wanted to help other families get the resources they need.”

The DR Family Foundation has already made a significant difference, helping families cover school expenses and other essential costs. The foundation’s next big initiative is creating a home for children from difficult backgrounds, offering them a safe and nurturing space where they can thrive. “It’s not just about providing shelter,” Michella says. “It’s about building a community where these children feel loved and supported.”

Reflecting on her journey with Benjamin, Michella speaks with gratitude. “He’s shown me that what others might see as a challenge is actually his strength,” she says. “His resilience and uniqueness are what make him so special, and I want to make sure other children have the opportunity to shine in their own way.”

Through her work, Michella envisions a world where children with disabilities are fully included in every aspect of life. She hopes that by advocating for inclusion and providing support through the DR Family Foundation, she can help create a brighter future for these children. “I want parents to know that they’re not alone,” she says. “With the right support, we can give our children the chance to live fulfilling, happy lives.”

Stay connected with Michella Filipowitz and her mission to create a more inclusive society for children with disabilities by following her on Instagram @princessmichella.