New program at Brooklyn Children’s Museum helps incarcerated dads reconnect with families through play

CROWN HEIGHTS — A NEW PROGRAM THAT THE BROOKLYN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM HAS LAUNCHED AIMS TO HELP THE FAMILIES OF INCARCERATED PERSONS. The BCM has partnered with the New York City Department of Correction to initiate “Haven: Reunification,” a bimonthly program that welcomes fathers incarcerated at Rikers Island to spend an afternoon with their families at the Museum. The program, held on days when the Museum is closed to the public, provides a safe space for families, and facilitates bonding, learning, and imaginative play. The incarcerated dads share meals, art therapy workshops, reading together, and open-ended play throughout the Museum’s exhibits, helping families earn, grow, and create enduring memories together in a warm and inclusive space in the community. The program’s goals are to reduce the impact of incarceration on children and families and combat recidivism through positive, restorative engagement. Moreover, each participating family receives a complimentary Museum membership, supporting continued engagement with BCM’s play-based learning.

The Social Justice Fund founded by Clara Wu Tsai has awarded the Museum a two-year grant of $160,000 for Haven: Reunification.

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