This program helps incarcerated fathers reunite with their children for the holidays
Shaleiq Worrell carefully squeezed icing onto the roof of a gingerbread house as his 9-year-old son, Keyontae Scott, prepared to sprinkle it with candy.
Behind them, a fire crackled on a big-screen TV above a tinsel-wrapped Christmas tree. Soft holiday music filled breaks in conversation and laughter inside the Gethsemane Community Fellowship Baptist Church.
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 has been incarcerated in the Norfolk City Jail on gun-related charges and separated from his three children and their mother for about two years.
“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. It was hosted in partnership with Garden of Hope, a nonprofit organization that works to rehabilitate nonviolent offenders in an effort to prevent recidivism.
The two families gathered for three hours, during which they played holiday games, made Christmas ornaments, 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 wrapped Valencia Williams in an embrace. She closed her eyes as a smile stretched from ear to ear.
Mike Williams had only seen his family once in the two years he has been held at the Norfolk City Jail following his conviction on gun-related and conspiracy to commit robbery charges. He is scheduled to be released in the 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 is meant to help incarcerated individuals successfully reintegrate into their communities upon release.
To qualify for a fatherhood event, participants must have children under 18 and be scheduled for release within six months. They also cannot be convicted of violent crimes and cannot be involved in a domestic or child protective case.
“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. Even though he is incarcerated, I can still call him when I am having issues with the boys. ... We have no more issues in our household,” Valencia said.
In preparation for family events, Garden of Hope volunteers decorate a space at the church and buy the fathers regular clothing to wear 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 laughed with his 13-year-old daughter, Keyanna Scott, when she won a gift card during the holiday games, the two bonding after months since they last hugged and years since he was home.
Prior to the holiday event, Worrell last saw his family in August during a similar fatherhood visitation event. Now he is counting down the days to his release, slated for 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. And it shows you this is not the place you want to be. Your kids miss you and want you home. When you get put away, just like leaving tears me apart, it is the same for them,” Worrell said.
Caitlyn Burchett, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com
