SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) \u2014 The holidays can be a tough time for nearly 2.7 million children who have a parent behind bars, a reality that makes this time of year especially difficult.<\/p>\n
A Scranton nonprofit called Presence from Prison<\/a> is working to change that, by delivering gifts, hope, and a message that even absent parents are still present.<\/p>\n Mina Ardestani, the founder, says the mission is simple.<\/p>\n \u201cThe whole purpose is to bring a little hope and a little joy, the spirit of a miracle, right? We want children to know that even though their parent is physically absent, they are present in their lives. They are thinking about them. They have value. Their parents love them,” said Ardestani.<\/p>\n Presence from Prison partners with the Lackawanna County Prison, something that started back in 2015. Inmates enrolled in rehabilitation, education, or self-growth programs can apply to have a gift sent to their child.<\/p>\n Ardestani says the impact is personal.<\/p>\n \u201cAs an educator it\u2019s something I see too often. Children need their parents. And even more so, it\u2019s meaningful to me because I look at it from different lenses, where I was that child,” said Ardestani.<\/p>\n Across the country, over 5.2 million kids have experienced a parent in jail or prison at some point in their lives. And according to the National Institute of Justice<\/a>, the effects can be serious, psychological stress, academic struggles, and increased risk of criminal activity later on.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want children to feel shame because it has nothing to do with them. Statistically speaking, children with incarcerated parents are likely to struggle in so many different ways\u2014socially, behaviorally, academically, and even leading into a life of crime.\u201d<\/p>\n Presence from Prison collects new toys and monetary donations, and Ardestani says they couldn\u2019t do it without the community stepping up to help.<\/p>\n