This program helps fathers in prison reunite with their children over the holidays.
As his 9-year old son Keyontae Scott prepared to sprinkle candy on the gingerbread house’s roof, Shaleiq Worrell meticulously squeezed icing.
A fire lit behind them on a large-screen TV, above a decorated Christmas tree. The Gethsemane Community Fellowship Baptist Church was filled with soft holiday music that brought out laughter and conversation.
The only indicator the festivities were different than that of any other family gathering was the orange jail uniform peeking out the waistband of Worrell’s jeans and the sheriff’s deputies posted at the room’s entrances.
Worrell was held in Norfolk City Jail, charged with gun-related offenses. Worrell has been separated for two years from his three children as well as their mother.
“Even though we get to video call, it is nothing like actual physical touch,” Worrell said.
His family was one of two that were able to reconnect for a fleeting Christmas celebration during a Dec. 17 event held by the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office. The event was held in partnership with Garden of Hope, which is a non-profit organization that works to rehabilitate violent offenders to prevent recidivism.
They gathered together for three hours and played holiday games, made ornaments for Christmas, decorated gingerbread houses, and enjoyed brunch.
“Incarceration impacts the family as a whole. … So when you start bringing them together like this, you are reintroducing the father back into the home before incarceration ends,” said Shantell Porter, the youth and family services coordinator for Garden of Hope. “It tells the family, the children, their dad may not be home but he is present.”
Mike Williams’ face lit up when his 18-year-old son, Vonzae Butler, and ex-wife Valencia Williams walked into the room. He hugged Valencia Williams. As her smile stretched from ear-to-ear, she closed her eyes.
Mike Williams had never seen his family in the two years since he was convicted of gun-related and conspiracy charges. He will be released in spring.
“Being a single mom and my kids’ dad being incarcerated, (this program) really helps because they have that male figure they need in their life. And it is in a different atmosphere than the jail,” said Valencia, who has two teenage sons with Mike.
Garden of Hope’s fatherhood visitation events are hosted at least every two months as a component of the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office reentry program, which requires participants to earn a GED diploma, and take parenting and substance abuse classes. The program helps inmates reintegrate into their communities once they are released.
Participants must be under 18 years old and scheduled to release within six months in order to qualify for the fatherhood event. They cannot be convicted or charged with violent crimes, and they cannot be involved in domestic or child protective cases.
“It gives them something to look forward to when they get out. … They might think ‘I am going to be starting at ground zero,’ but they are not starting at ground zero. Not with their family,” said Norfolk Sheriff Joe Baron.
While the Williamses finalized their divorce, Valencia said the program’s impact on Mike encouraged her set aside their differences in order to co-parent their sons.
“He is a different person — a better father. He is still available to me when I have problems with my boys, even though he is in prison. … We have no more issues in our household,” Valencia said.
Garden of Hope volunteers decorate the church to prepare for family events and purchase regular clothing for fathers instead of jail uniforms. Occasionally, Garden of Hope or the sheriff’s office will organize family outings at area zoos, aquariums or museums.
“The incarcerated setting can be traumatic, particularly for children. Even though these individuals are currently incarcerated, they’re still part of families. People love them, and they are loved and they deserve to be recognized as such,” said Philip Inabette, interim executive director of Garden of Hope. “And it’s important that when they get home they’re not just seen as someone who’s been stuck away in a hole, but as a real contributing member of the family.”
Worrell and his 13-year old daughter Keyanna Scott laughed when they won a gift certificate during the holiday games. This was their bonding moment after months of not hugging each other and years without him being home.
Worrell saw his family last August at a similar fatherhood visitation. He is now counting down the days until his release, which is scheduled to take place on Jan. 17.
The two fatherhood visitation events spent with his family, Worrell said, motivate him to get out of jail — and to stay out.
“You see what you’re missing with your kids. It’s clear that this is not where you want to go. Your children love you and miss you. When you get put away, just like leaving tears me apart, it is the same for them,” Worrell said.
Caitlyn Burkett [email protected]