The Returning Hearts Celebration is a one-day event that unites children with their incarcerated fathers. This day of healing is designed to help break the cycle of crime and incarceration in families. The inmates participating in the celebration are part of the MERIT Program at the Pitchess Detention Center South facility, which is offered by the Department’s Education-Based Incarceration Bureau. These inmates chose to enroll in the 12-week Spiritual Growth Program “Malachi Dads,” that is designed to teach the positive fundamentals of fatherhood.
Approximately 50 men who qualify, are allowed to invite their children, 5-17 years old, to attend a carnival in a grassy area outside the jail compound that is removed from other inmates. The carnival will include food, music, and entertaining carnival games. The Grace Baptist Church in Santa Clarita hosts this annual event and provides the nearly 200 volunteers necessary to coordinate and staff the carnival activities. This is the 5th year that Grace Baptist is hosting the Returning Hearts Celebration.
The children will be chaperoned by volunteers from Awana Lifeline Ministries. Since the purpose of the celebration is specifically for uniting fathers and their children, no other family members are allowed to attend.
Grace Baptist Program Reunites Kids with Incarcerated Dads at Pitchess
