The Cookie Monster helps children with their crafts at the Strengthening Families Affected by Incarceration Day at the John M Cuelenaere Public Library. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Helping Families

Strengthening Families Affected by Incarceration Day

Nov 16, 2019 | 7:16 PM

The John M Cuelenaere Public Library was filled with the buzz of happy children Saturday who came to see their beloved Sesame Street characters Elmo and Cookie Monster.

The event put on by the Canadian Families and Corrections Network (CFCN) in partnership with Parkland Restorative Justice, was meant to inform families and children about the resources available to them if they have a family member who is incarcerated. The event was also funded by the Prince Albert & Area Community Foundation and Affinity Credit Union.

It was put on to help children who have a person close to them in the prison system deal with the challenges they go through on a daily basis.

Elmo from Sesame Street waves to some fans at the John M Cuelenaere Public Library. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

Executive Director of CFCN, Louise Leonardi said coming to events like this is one of the best parts of her job.

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“There are a lot of tough phone calls and a lot of very tough conversations,” she said. “Families have it very difficult and the research shows that you’d think it would get easier over time having a person inside. But they don’t. The opposite is true; it gets more difficult as that person goes on.”

Leonardi added it can be a tough road for many people who have a loved one in jail. She said often people have financial issues as well.

“Half the income walks into the jail so that family is left with all the bills you would normally have but now only half the money,” she explained.

On top of financial impact, children may have to move and make new friends and join a new school because their family member was taken away to a prison in another location. She said often children digress in school or their behavior starts to change because they’re unsure and don’t know what is next.

“We now know if a child is mad, sad, or they’re scared, they can’t learn in the same way,” Leonardi said.

She explained children are two to four times more likely to follow in their parent’s footsteps.

“That’s what we’re all about and we try to strengthen the family because if we keep that family strong, research has proven it’s better for the person on the inside,” she said. “It’s better for the family and the children if it’s a positive situation.”

The Cookie Monster gives out some hugs.(Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

Events like this she said, pull people together and show the many people who will help and the resources for families.

“Here’s your chance to pull them all together and point them out and say ‘if you need help you can come to this event you can slide up to the table anonymously while your child is hugging Elmo and grab the resources you need,'” she added.

Leonardi told paNOW they always have people reach out for help through creating awareness from events such as the Strengthening Families Affected by Incarceration Day. They also work through social media and keep in contact with people in prison to connect with their families.

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12