Oklahoma City – To help families seeking Christmas gifts for the children of parents who are incarcerated, staff at the Oklahoma City Convention Center partnered with The Education and Employment Ministry (TEEM) to assist with the need.
OKCCC’s contribution included dozens of new, unwrapped toys that covered all age groups.
TEEM’s goal for each holiday season is to ensure children of incarcerated parents receive love and feel connected to the community. TEEM serves individuals who dream of becoming better parents, caregivers, and role models to the children in their lives.
While many returning adults are striving to overcome a troubled past and become productive members of society, their children are left to cope with stress, separation, and relational barriers because of the incarceration of their loved ones.
For many of the parents and new caregivers, the financial burdens associated with the Holidays present significant challenges.
“Caring for children of justice involved individuals is a key factor in breaking cycles of incarceration,” said Kris Steele, TEEM’s executive director. “It is important to focus on these children and their families, especially during the holiday season.”
OKCCC General Manager Al Rojas said the opportunity to support the TEEM effort was a natural fit that fell under the charitable umbrella that ASM operates.
“Within the ASM mission statement there is an important element that encourages charitable work like this within the community we serve,” Rojas said. “Working together with TEEM allowed us to unify both of our goals in a way that benefits our community in important ways both seen and unseen.”
