For Educators

Community invited to free workshop
Troy School District shares information and assistance

TROY, N.Y. (January 24, 2007) – The Troy City School District is sponsoring a free workshop entitled “Supporting Families of the Incarcerated” January 31 from 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Commission for Economic Opportunity (CEO) Joseph Bruno Resource Center, 2328 5th Avenue.

Alison Coleman, director and founder of Prison Families of New York, Inc. and daughter Cecily Coleman, founder of the Children of Prisoners Initiative, will give a presentation on the difficulty for families to survive the New York State (NYS) prison experience.

“We offered this workshop as part of our professional development to teachers and staff in November, said Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction Mary Capobianco. “I was so impressed with the presentation that I wanted to bring it to a larger audience and offer it to the Troy community.”

The program offers information about jail, prison and parole. It can also provide assistance to families, people of conscience, educators, health care professionals, ministries, mentoring programs, agencies, social change groups, social workers children, families, former prisoners, and members of the community.

Alison Coleman created Prison Families of New York, Inc. after dealing with her own experience husband getting sentenced 25 years to life for a nonviolent crime. The organization is now based in Albany; it is very active in policy development and family advocacy throughout NYS.

“With information, support and community, New York State prison families and the professionals who work with us can become active on the NYS criminal justice playing field,” said Alison Coleman.

Community members can receive support by phone, mail, websites and group meetings. 

Topics include pre-prison planning, the prison experience and post-prison adjustment.

Coleman adds, “As we become more experienced and effective; criminal justice will meet our needs as families who love our incarcerated members and will stop using prisoners' children to fill the next generation of prison cells.”

If you plan to attend please call 271-5179 to register.

Contact: Caroline Boardman

(518) 271-5193
boardmanc@troy.k12.ny.us