Pillars Inc.
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A number of studies internationally, and in New Zealand, have shown that criminal offending can pass readily within families from one generation to the next (Department of Corrections). New Zealand has the 2nd highest crime rate per capita in the western world.
• Our New Zealand wide research shows that there are approximately 20,000 children who currently have a parent in a New Zealand prison
• They are 6-7 times more likely to end up in prison themselves without support
• These children have committed no crime, but the penalty they are forced to pay is steep
• These children have no choice but to forfeit the things that matter most; their homes, their safety, their public status and private self-image - their primary source of comfort and affection
Children of prisoners need hope and guidance to grow up to be healthy adults.
New Zealanders need to support programmes that offer such hope. PILLARS aims to do just that!
Winning a donation from Sovereign will help us achieve:
The ongoing development of Just Us Town www.justus.org.nz – an interactive, child friendly and informative website for children of prisoners in New Zealand, and includes an area to assist parent / caregivers and organisations supporting them. The website is fantastic!
It is a place where children can seek out information on such matters as the New Zealand prison system and visiting their parent in prison, how to cope with their thoughts and feelings, courts, telling friends and dealing with school yard bullying.
It features a prison, child’s house, friend’s house, court and community house. The child can enter any of these places.
The website begins with Justin, a friendly alien who arrives by flying saucer. Justin provides an interactive question and answer service for the children and further support is available online by qualified counsellors.
Parent / Caregivers can access information and support for themselves and learn how to help the children through the website or by contacting our qualified staff online.
PILLARS has a strong commitment to support professionals working with the children of prisoners, and encouraging best practice. We offer online support, links and specialised training.
• To support them to break the cycle of intergenerational offending
• To raise awareness of issues affecting children of prisoners
• To provide them with information and advice New Zealand has the second highest rate of imprisonment in the western world.
This is a significant way in which you can be involved in helping to reduce New Zealand’s crime rate.
Our details:
| Registration No: | CC23953 |
| Region: | Hawke's Bay/East Coast, Waikato/Bay of Plenty/Rotorua, Manawatu/Wanganui/Kapiti, Northland, Taranaki, Wellington, Auckland, Central Auckland, South Auckland, North Auckland, West Auckland, East Auckland, Canterbury/South Canterbury, Southland, West Coast, Nelson/Marlborough |
| Category: | Children's disability support, Children's health - mental wellness and support for emotional trauma, Parental advice and support, Children's health and rehabilitation, Teenage advice & support |
| Contact Person: | Verna McFelin (CEO Pillars ) |
| Address: | PO Box 21-209, Christchurch |
| Telephone: | (03) 377 3990 |
| Email: | Verna@pillars.org.nz |
| Website: | www.pillars.org.nz and www.justus.org.nz |
| No. helped nationally: | We envisage approximately 12,500 children in any one year. |
| No. helped per project: | As many as can access the website |
| Existing sponsors or funders: | The Department of Corrections has provided PILLARS with posters and children’s cards advertising the website. The posters will direct children of prisoners to the website. The majority of funding for PILLARS comes from our own fundraising work. ASB Community Trust, Todd Foundation, Southern Trust, Canterbury Community Trust, ASB Community Trust and the NZ Lotteries Grants Board have all provided significant support over several years. PILLARS also has some small government contracts. |
