Did you know that over 200,000 children in AZ have one or both parents incarcerated – that’s 10% of the national total! These children often suffer from sleeplessness, attention deficit disorders, separation anxiety, depression and other issues including guilt and the stigma associated with incarceration. In fact, the issue has become so prevalent that Sesame Street® has added a character to their cast who has an incarcerated parent.
The Diocesan Prison Ministry Program, in conjunction with Chapel Rock and the Diocesan Children’s Ministries, created Camp Genesis as a way to reach out to these children and their families/caregivers. Because most of these families live at or below poverty level, the camp is offered to these children at no cost. The generous support of people like you make this possible. In 2019, the Diocesan-wide Camp Genesis Sunday was approved for the 3rd Sunday in September (Prison Awareness Month). Click HERE to download a flyer to promote Camp Genesis Sunday at your church!
Your donations will help ensure that no child is turned away from attending camp due to a lack of scholarships and will help us to provide the programming for this special camp. In 2024, we will be offering two camps, one for children ages 8-12 and one for kids ages 13-17. For the first time we will be able to reach out to a wider age group and encourage them as they struggle to overcome the stigma and hardships due to having an incarcerated loved one. We hope you will share this information with your members on Sept. 17th .and consider hosting a special collection to support our efforts.
If you or your church would like to provide scholarships, items for the Camp Genesis backpacks, participate in a prayer program for the campers, or would simply like to send cards of encouragement to the previous campers, please contact Rev. Kim Crecca, Convener of the Diocesan Prison Ministry Program at prisonministry@azdiocese.org.