Our Trip to New York: A Day of Giving
On March 29, members of The UnLocked Project took a meaningful journey to Brooklyn, New York, where we delivered care packages to children of incarcerated parents. These children face unique challenges, and our goal was to remind them that they are seen, valued, and supported.
The excitement in the air was palpable as we arrived at the Brooklyn Museum, the site of our distribution. The weather was perfect—a sunny 78 degrees—which made the entire experience even more special. The stunning city backdrop set the stage for an afternoon filled with warmth, connection, and gratitude.
Our team personally handed out 20 care packages to children who were able to attend the event in person. The remaining 40 packages were taken by members of the Osborne Association, who ensured they reached other children affected by parental incarceration who couldn’t make it to the Brooklyn Museum that day.
As we handed out the care packages, the children’s faces lit up with joy. Some eagerly opened their backpacks to explore the thoughtful items inside, while others clutched them tightly, cherishing the gesture. We were able to witness firsthand how small acts of kindness can create meaningful moments. Their smiles, laughter, and heartfelt ‘thank yous’ reinforced why we do this work. Capturing these moments in photos allowed us to preserve the impact of the day, and we look forward to sharing them with our growing community.
Partnering with the Osborne Association
We were grateful to partner with the Osborne Association, an organization dedicated to supporting families affected by incarceration. Their assistance in identifying children who would benefit from these packages was invaluable. Their work aligns closely with our mission, and we encourage everyone to learn more about their initiatives by visiting Osborne Association.
The Power of Community: How We Made This Possible
This initiative wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of our community. We raised $1,600 through a combination of an online GoFundMe campaign and a thrifting fundraiser, where members donated gently used clothes to be resold. Special thanks to the Epsilon Mu Chapter of UMD and other school organizations that helped us assemble the care packages, which consisted of soap, fuzzy socks, and a handmade letter/crochet item, ensuring each one was packed with care and essential items.
What’s Next for The UnLocked Project?
This experience reaffirmed our commitment to supporting children impacted by parental incarceration. Seeing the direct impact of our efforts has inspired us to continue and expand our initiatives.
Later this month, we will be delivering an additional 17 care packages to children of incarcerated parents in the DMV area, ensuring that more young individuals receive the support and comfort they deserve.
We have also set a new GoFundMe goal of $3,000 to support future care package distributions, small book scholarships, peer support groups, resource hub expansions, and awareness and advocacy events. So far, we’ve raised 60% of this goal, and we are hopeful that with your continued support, we can reach even more children in need.
Thank You for Being a Part of This Journey
To everyone who donated, volunteered, or simply shared our mission—thank you. Your support fuels our work and makes moments like this possible. We are excited for what’s ahead and look forward to sharing more updates soon!
Stay connected with us as we continue to create impact, one child at a time.
