OUTDOOR Leadership program
“We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that we will be able to make of this old world a new world...Love is the only way.”
It is our mission to end generational cycles of incarceration by responding to and supporting the unique emotional needs of children with a parent in prison. And, since 1999, our year-round Outdoor Leadership Program has done just that.
Children come into our program at the ages of 8, 9, or 10, and we offer each child a 10-year commitment of service, community and support, guiding them as they heal from the impacts of their parents' incarcerations. Throughout the year, our youth gather with the Avary Family on outings tailored to teach and challenge, as they gain the critical social and emotional life-skills to break free from generational cycles of incarceration.
Our immersive and empowering Leadership Program is broken up into two sub-programs: the Explorer Program (ages 8-13) and the Junior Counselor Program (ages 14-18). Have a look at the “Timeline of an Avary Youth” below to get a rich understanding of the journey to leadership each youth embarks upon when they join the Avary Family.
PROGRAM REFERRAL:
Whether you’re a pediatrician, social worker, educator or concerned parent looking for answers and support, if you know of youth that could benefit from our services, please consider referring them to our program by filling out this form.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
• The youth has a parent who is incarcerated or recently released
• Is between the ages of 8-18
• Is aware of their parent’s incarceration
• The youth has someone who can get them to/from one of our pick up locations located in San Rafael, Richmond, Berkeley/Oakland or San Francisco.
Get to know us: Would you like to take part in an orientation meeting before signing a youth up? Contact Program Director, Kellene VanBrackle, at (415) 457-8799 x301 or kellene@projectavary.org to set up a phone call.
“If we are to teach real peace in this world...we shall have to begin with the children.”