A First for Get On The Bus: Holiday Visit to Mothers at Federal Incarceration Facility

DUBLIN, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 2, 2013) - On December 7, 2013, Get On The Bus, a statewide program that connects children with their parents serving time in prison, will bus over 100 children to the Federal Correction Institution at Dublin to visit with their mothers. This trip launches the Get On The Bus program into the Federal Prison system. Get On The Bus is a statewide network of more than 1,000 volunteers and 250 faith groups and community organizations. Get On The Bus provides assistance to families in completing the forms required to gain clearance to enter the prison, transportation to the prison, lunch and activities at the event as well as trained volunteers to accompany the children. Before visiting the prison, families will enjoy a holiday breakfast at St Joan of Arc Catholic Parish in San Ramon. In an effort to enhance public awareness of this unique program, the media is invited to cover this event starting at 6:30am at the breakfast site.

"Every child yearns to feel loved and connected to his or her parents. But children with parents in prison have a tough time keeping that connection due to the distance and costs of travels," says Kathy Culpepper, Executive Director of the program.

Kathy explained, "Get On The Bus offers these children the priceless chance for a mother's hug, a family photo, and a one on one conversation." Post-event counseling and a dinner for the return trip home are also provided. For many of these children, this will be the first time they've seen their mothers in many months or in some cases even years.

The media is invited to cover the Holiday breakfast reception to be held at St Joan of Arc Parish at 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon, CA 94583 starting at 6:30 a.m. and ending at 8:00 a.m.

Get On The Bus was established by Sr. Suzanne Jabro, CSJ, in 1999. In 2013, Get On The Bus brought 535 families together at 11 prisons across California. For more information, please visit www.getonthebus.us.