Prisoner Family Support Group Holding Fundraiser Satruday Night at Woodstock Moose

A press release from a group called Jail Brakers:

Jail Brakers Sets Benefit Dinner with Turkey Bingo

The control center of the McHenry County Jail.

Woodstock– Jail Brakers, which offers support to families with incarcerated loved ones, will hold its 2nd Annual Community Dinner and Fundraiser on Saturday, November 19 from 4 to 7 PM at the Woodstock Moose Lodge, 406 Clay Street.

The evening will include entertainment by local musicians Andy Andrick, Patricia Caldwell, Merv Collins, and Don Humbertson. There will be a dinner, door prizes, turkey bingo and an auction as well. A $15 dollar donation is requested at the door.

Jail Brakers was founded by Woodstock resident Cheryl Niemo after her son got into serious trouble with the law and was sentenced to a long prison term.

She was devastated by what had happened to her son, her own feelings about it, and trying to cope with the separation, loss and shame.

She searched find a support system for people like herself.

After all, there are support groups for practically everything—why not for families with loved ones incarcerated. But it turned out there wasn’t.

So Niemo started Jail Brakers.

In just a couple of years Niemo has accomplished a lot.

She recently led a workshop for children, parents and teachers at Precious Mind’s anti-bulling program Don’t Feed the Penguins at McHenry County College because children and siblings of offenders are often targeted for abuse in school.

Niemo describes the basic program this way:

“Jail Brakers is a support group that provides a safe place for children and families to express their emotional reaction to the separation from a family member who has been incarcerated.

“Jail Brakers provides support in the form of 12-week group sessions for families with a member who has been [or is] incarcerated. Ongoing support includes monthly groups as well as individual support for youth and families. We embrace a holistic approach to healing where everyone is welcome, all voices are heard, and everyone is treated with respect. Jail Brakers support incorporates creativity and experiential activities, along with community oriented activities engaging the entire family.

“Our mission is to raise awareness about the needs and concerns of the children and families who have been affected by incarceration. Jail Brakers provides opportunities to give children and families a voice and a place to be heard with respect and compassion. Together, we address the stigma that perpetuates fear, shame and isolation surrounding incarceration, and begin to cultivate hope.”

The program relies almost exclusively on fundraising for its shoestring budget.

For more information e-mail jailbrakers@gmail.com or visit Jail Brakers on Facebook.

Contributions can be sent to 221 Dean Street.


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