Hour Children, Inc.

At Hour Children, some of the most meaningful feedback we receive never makes it to a podium or a press release. It comes in the form of handwritten notes from moms who trusted us during some of the hardest chapters of their lives. Recently, a mother wrote to our team to thank us for remembering her son’s birthday and for making the holidays special for her children, even while she was incarcerated. She shared that “what we can’t do alone, we can do together,” and that is exactly what Hour Children is about. Every visit, each birthday we help celebrate, and every steady moment of connection between a child and their parent in a correctional facility remind us that family bonds matter and deserve protection. We are grateful for: ·        The mothers who let us walk alongside them. ·        The children who keep showing up with hope. ·        Our community of supporters who make this work possible. When we say we stand with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children, this is what it looks like in real life: quiet moments of dignity, joy, and connection that transform family histories over time.

Hour Children has been chosen to join the fourth cohort of Decoded Futures at Tech:NYC! Excited to collaborate with technologists over the next two months to explore how AI can help us expand our impact, innovate responsibly, and serve our community. We’re thrilled to be learning alongside 20+ other NYC social sector orgs. Thanks to the volunteer technologists and partners Decoded Futures at Tech:NYC, Google Robin Hood, Salesforce, Altman Foundation, OpenAI, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) for making this possible. Stay tuned for our updates, and meet our cohort here →  https://lnkd.in/e2upy3Y2

Proud moment for Hour Children and our own Dr. Emily Horowitz, Program Director at the Rose M. Singer Center. The recently renovated nursery for newborns and their mothers at RMSC is more than just a physical upgrade. It embodies a shared commitment to dignity, care, and early bonding for women in custody who give birth. The new space now offers a calmer, more inviting environment with fresh murals, furnishings, flooring, and paint. This project was led by the NYC Department of Correction's Division of Programs and Community Partnerships, with strong leadership from RMSC's (Rose M. Singer Center) Executive Director of Facility Programs, Tavarez, and the Facility Maintenance and Repair Division. It was made possible through meaningful collaboration with community partners, including Hour Children, Inc., and the Osborne Association. Spaces matter. Environment matters. And when institutions and community partners collaborate effectively, outcomes improve for mothers and babies alike. 👏 We are excited to announce the launch of our new project! #newproject

This holiday season, @correctionnyc reminds families visiting loved ones on RikersIsland that free shuttle service is available to make your visit a little easier. Pick-up and drop-off locations are open in both #Harlem and #Brooklyn. Plan ahead and view the full schedule here: on.nyc.gov/4f2laai Please share. Thank you, Hour Children, Inc.  

✨ “Paint Me a Road Out of Here” A Movement Through Art, History, and Justice On October 7th, the Bedford Playhouse hosted a powerful screening of "Paint Me a Road Out of Here," directed by Catherine Gund. The film documents the remarkable 50-year journey of women at Rikers Island Jail through the perspective of a significant painting. In 1971, visionary artist Faith Ringgold created "For the Women’s House"—a piece of art intended to inspire hope and dignity among incarcerated women. Five decades later, artist and activist Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter, who gave birth while incarcerated, works alongside a coalition of artists, politicians, corrections officers, and Faith Ringgold herself to reclaim the painting and elevate the voices of the women it was created for. What unfolds is a remarkable story of resistance, resilience, and art as a means for liberation. 🎤 Panel Discussion Following the film, a compelling panel discussion examined the ongoing effects of incarceration on women and families, as well as the systems that need to be challenged and changed. Panelists: Dr. Alethea Taylor, PhD, CRC, Executive Director, Hour Children      Dr. Emily Horowitz, Program Director, Hour Children Ms. Patricia Zimmerman, House Manager at one of Hour Children’s supportive housing residences Ms. Leah Faria, Hour Children Advocate Their personal and professional perspectives highlighted why this work matters and emphasized Hour Children’s steadfast commitment to standing with justice-impacted women, amplifying their voices, and supporting families as they rebuild their lives. A sincere thank you to Bedford Playhouse | Clive Davis Arts Center for providing a space where these stories can be seen, heard, and felt.

Join us on October 7th, 2025, at Bedford Playhouse for the screening of "Paint Me A Road Out of Here." 💚 More information here: https://lnkd.in/ezB2Brir

Hour Children is honored to be named a finalist for the Cerini & Associates Social Impact Award at the NYC Imagine Awards 2025! This recognition honors our mission of supporting children and mothers affected by incarceration, maintaining bonds, nurturing futures, and transforming lives. We need your help to win this award. Vote for Hour Children every day until September 19th at [https://woobox.com/w8ajw8]. Every vote strengthens our efforts and amplifies the voices of the families we serve. Thank you for standing with us. 😊 🤝

Hour Children, Inc. is honored to be a finalist in the 2025 Imagine Awards. We invite you to support our mission by voting once a day until midnight on September 19. Every vote helps raise awareness about the importance of supporting mothers and children as they rebuild their lives. Cast your daily vote here:  https://woobox.com/w8ajw8 Winners will be announced live at the Imagine Awards on October 28, 2025. Thank you for standing with us and helping us continue this vital work.

Back-to-school is about confidence, dignity, and the belief that every child deserves to start the year with hope, not just pencils and notebooks. Thanks to the generosity of Maspeth Federal Savings, our children are entering the new school year equipped with the tools they need and the encouragement that they are valued. We are proud to stand beside partners who share our dedication to strengthening families and building brighter futures. 💚 💙 🤍