ON A GOOD NOTE

TEXT BY LESLEY CHUMPIA, PROGRAM MANAGER | PHOTOS BY BRANDON WILLIAMS @BWILLMADEIT

INDOMITABLE FAMILIES AFFECTED BY INCARCERATION

By sponsoring a variety of programs and events,

Indomitable Families Affected by Incarceration (IFAM) focuses on mitigating the traumatic effect incarceration has on a person’s and their family's mental health. The organization provides a safe outlet for justice-involved men, women, youth and their families.

Since 2014 IFAM has hosted over 130 Women’s Support

Socials (group therapy) and over 50 Men's Support Socials.

Our new ICON program (Indomitable Children Overcoming Negativity) was developed this year for the youth in the local community who are impacted by incarceration. During these group sessions participants learn how to address depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, combat holiday blues, and establish positive communication patterns with an incarcerated loved one.

Indomitable has also completed the renovation of its first property which now houses a mother and her two sons impacted by incarceration. The group is now in the process of demolishing and rebuilding its second property, which will serve as a transitional home for five individuals re-entering society.

To grow its outreach, IFAM will soon launch a new app,

Incarcerated to Indomitable, to bridge the gap between receiving mental health services and obtaining daily life necessities. As participants attend group therapy sessions and life-skills classes they earn points redeemable for grocery vouchers, grooming services, rent/utility assistance, and other rewards via the app. Utilizing a gamification component to help meet the needs of returning citizens and their families will decrease environmental barriers and reduce recidivism, making the family unit stronger and strengthening kinship in the community.