Ex-Prisoners Hold Bike Give-Away for Children of Incarcerated Parents
Former prisoners and community activists, aware of the devastating effects that incarceration has on the African American community, organized a bike give-away held on Saturday, December 14 at Parks Chapel, AME Church in Oakland. This annual gift give-away, organized by Timers Organization, focuses on the particular needs of children who celebrate the holidays away from their parents, children whose needs often go unmet.
Rev. Allen of Parks Chapel AME Church, explains why her church is opening its doors to former prisoners for this give-away: "We think it's important to raise consciousness about those who are in prison and the impact all this is having on us as a community...in the midst of all of it are the children, children who need our support."
Dorsey Nunn, one of the organizers of this event, explains how this effort came together: "We ask Black people to step up to the plate, to be there in the place of absent parents, to take that extra step to parent other people's children. We're tired of the 'I got mine' mentality; we want a 'we got ours'mentality. These bikes are a symbol of the fact that many people who have been to prison want to give back to their community. Most of us were in prison when our children were growing up, and we couldn't be there to give them everything they needed. Our message to the kids is simple: 'Even though your parent is in jail, you have not been abandoned. They miss you, and there are people out here who love you, too.' Giving is a healing thing. We've been part of giving away over 400 bikes, and I don't know who gets the greatest gift, the former prisoners, or the kids".
