Extended Family was created in 2003 by Laure Clemons as a support system for the families of prisoners. What started as one-to-one support for others like her, those who were struggling to adjust to the incarceration of a loved one, has grown into programs and services for every family member dealing with incarceration, including the adult family members left at home, the children, the incarcerated individuals struggling to maintain family connections while away from home, and those recently returned citizens who are working to reintegrate into their homes and communities.
This “whole family” support system has embraced three main goals: to prevent children from entering the juvenile justice system, to reduce the rate of recidivism among returned citizens, and to break the cycle of incarceration in families. The benefits of these goals for families are numerous, and we understand that strong families are the cornerstone of our communities.
But what about the bigger picture? When we are successful in meeting our goals, the larger result is a reduction of crime in our communities. Less crime means more safety which positively impacts every aspect of our lives, from our schools to our businesses, and, ultimately, our quality of life. Our mission, “To offer help and inspire hope,” is meant to uplift families and give them the tools they need to make better choices so that they have the freedom to dream and see those dreams come true. But also, when we are successful in meeting our goals, we are offering help and inspiring hope for all the citizens of our communities, neighborhoods, and cities by providing a world with less crime and violence.
Learn more about Extended Family and our programs by visiting our website at www.extendedfamilyhelp.org and find out the tangible steps we are taking to make the world a safer place for everyone. Extended Family is committed to making a difference, one family at a time.
