money Perfect Peace Prison Project holds Easter celebration for kids
Aster wasn't the Easter bunny, but he was close enough.
The 2-year-old English angora rabbit, who belongs to Julie Schwartz, was on hand Friday afternoon at UMADAOP for the Perfect Peace Prison Project.
Members of the group gave away Easter baskets to kids who have a parent in prison.
"The purpose of this is not only a fun time for the kids that don't have both parents or either parent, but it's also to build rapport and provide support, because studies show that they go through behavior problems related to trauma," founder Latonya Palmer said.
Aster is a therapy rabbit. Kids got to sit with him on their laps.
"He's well-socialized and trained to get on laps and provide comfort," said Schwartz, the head of school at Discovery School, adding Aster often sits on students' laps when they read.
Easter eggs, painting, and pizza
But Aster was only one of the entertainment options. Others included painting with Vicki Hoeffler, a sensory table with Morgan Young, pizza and coloring eggs.
Sondra Bryant brought her five grandchildren.
"It's beautiful," she said of Friday's event. "It's giving back to the community."
Bryant said she didn't have any special plans for Easter, "just church."
Palmer has big plans for the Perfect Peace Prison Project.
"We want to be a very unique and essential service in the greater Mansfield, Richland County area — maybe even extending into Ohio," she said.
Palmer said she wants to be an advocate for inmates.
"If they have a case that's wishy-washy, I want to find someone who's going to take a look at it," she said. "I've been in prison before. I know how the system can be."
Palmer wants to help inmates who are being released to reintegrate into society. She has been talking to Capt. Chris Blunk, administrator for the Richland County Jail, about visiting with inmates.
Numerous ways to support inmates
"I would like to get in position where they can call me collect," Palmer said.
She is pursuing grants, as well as a bachelor's degree in social work. Palmer plans to be a family/peer support specialist.
She has seen too many kids of incarcerated parents grow up to be the second generation of inmates.
"That's what I'm trying to break, so that's why I have to start with these kids," Palmer said.
She connected with the kids by dressing up as the Easter Bunny at the second annual basket giveaway.
"I tried to invite the same people that were here last year," Palmer said. "I need to establish the relationship first before I start working with children."
Noting the Perfect Peace Prison Project is fairly new — she started it during the pandemic two years ago — Palmer wants to collaborate with other organizations.
To reach her, call 440-444-6994.
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield organization holds Easter basket giveaway for children
