Amazing Grace Is… A non-sectarian, one-week, residential, summer camp experience for children who have a family member who is or was incarcerated offered in partnership with the South Shore YMCA Camp Burgess at no cost to the families. Based on model developed and encouraged by the Rev. Jackie Means, former director of prison ministries for the Episcopal Church. First was in Rio Grande in 1995; over 27 similar programs currently exist in the United States. An opportunity to show unconditional love to the most vulnerable victims of crime.

MISSION: Seeking to Break the Cycle of Intergenerational Incarceration Over 1.75 million children living in this country have an incarcerated parent. Though the actual percentages are contested, some studies estimate 70% of children who have an incarcerated parent will be incarcerated. The percentage rises to 90% if both parents are incarcerated.

Risk Factors Poverty Racism Parental Substance Abuse and/or Mental Illness Family Violence Witnessing Violence Transience Living in High Crime Neighborhoods Having an Incarcerated sibling, especially if the sibling is a brother

The Details PARTNER: YMCA Camp Burgess, Sandwich DATES: August 20-25, 2017 GOAL: 25 children 7-11 in 2017 anticipate 12 children 12+ in 2017 2016: 21 children 7-11; 5 children 12+ 2015: 20 children ages 6-12 10 of 13 returned from 2014 FINANCES: Raised over $30,000 Covered cost of 21 children at Camp Burgess for Amazing Grace week Sponsored 5 children for a coed week at Camp Hayward Provided sleeping bags, back packs and school supplies, towels and other toiletries Stipended a project manager/ camp director (24/7 during camp) Provided monthly activities for the campers and their families, birthday greetings and seasonal contact

Ways you can Join Us Mentor at Amazing Grace Morning Shift 7:45 am – 1:30 pm Afternoon Shift 1:15- 7:00 pm Night shift 6:45 pm – 8 am Specialist at Amazing Grace 1-2 hours to share your interest & skill Volunteer Year Round Mentor Chaperone Activities & Events Join our Board Join a Subcommittee Camper Recruitment Volunteer Recruitment and Training Program – camp and year round Communications & Marketing Fundraising & Finance Donate Monetary In Kind

Plans for 2017-2018 Increase number of male volunteers, especially overnight Add small stipend incentive for young adults to be on site 24/7 Fill four tents for week at Camp Burgess (6 campers w/2 adults) Add orientation for 12 Amazing Grace graduates (children over 12) at Camp Haywood Coed week (goal to support through Counselor-In- Training process) Expand training offerings for volunteers including Expert Online Training Modules and public presentation Develop funding strategy to continue year round activities after grant expires Strengthen Board and Committees: Program Design (Summer Camp Experience; Year-round Activities), Camper Recruitment, Volunteer Recruitment and Development, Policies and Protocols, Communication and Marketing, Fundraising and Grant writing, Budget and Finance)

CONTACT US Carol Bolstad Chair, Board of Directors amazinggrace.cbolstad@gmail.com Julie Lytle Program Coordinator/Camp Director jlytle0214@comcast.net 617-669-8411 http://amazinggracecapecod.org