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. 💚 💙 🤍

We are excited to announce that Hour Children has been chosen to receive a Neighborhood Grant from The Starbucks Foundation! This support is made possible by the dedicated Starbucks partners (employees) who appreciate and recognize the work happening in our community every day. Their belief in our mission enables us to continue providing food, resources, and programs that restore dignity and hope to the families we serve. At Hour Children, we understand that genuine change occurs when neighbors come together. With this grant, we will keep building stronger pathways for mothers and children affected by incarceration because when families succeed, our entire community benefits.   💚 Thank you, Starbucks Foundation, for acknowledging and supporting our efforts. Together, we are making positive change.

We’re thrilled to welcome families, educators, and community members to a special children’s book reading hosted by Hour Children’s Summer Program on Tuesday, July 22nd, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM at the Katonah Village Library. Beyond City Limits Inc. will present The Librarian: No Such Thing as a Bad Child, a moving story exploring disability, grief, and bullying while inspiring empathy and resilience. Award-winning author Katie Yamasaki will share 'Place Hand Here," a beautifully illustrated book that celebrates connection and healing through vivid, expressive storytelling. This free event is a wonderful opportunity to experience impactful stories that nurture empathy, imagination, and understanding in our young readers. Let’s celebrate the power of storytelling together! Hour Families Hour Time Hour Children, Inc. 😊

Hour Children had the pleasure of attending the NYC Nonprofit Club’s Summer Happy Hour, hosted by Community Boost and Microsoft at LinkedIn's offices in the iconic Empire State Building. It was an energizing evening of networking, learning, and collaboration among fellow nonprofit professionals committed to building stronger, more resilient communities. I especially appreciated the interactive workshop on using Microsoft Copilot A.I. to create impactful LinkedIn content—a powerful tool I plan to use for elevating the stories and voices of women and their families who have been impacted by justice.  Thank you to Community Boost, Microsoft, and LinkedIn for bringing together mission-driven organizations to connect, share ideas, and celebrate the start of summer. We’re inspired to carry these insights forward as we continue working to empower women and children rebuilding their lives after incarceration. Thank you. LinkedIn

We’re proud to showcase the meaningful contributions of our Hour Children team members, Mayra and Tony, at the recent Transcending Trauma event hosted by Interfaith Prison Partnership. Mayra—our remarkable Transportation Coordinator—and her band, Cocomama Trio, filled the space with soul, blending Salsa, Afro-Cuban, and Latin jazz to open this emotionally powerful event. The evening featured inspiring testimonies from formerly incarcerated individuals, examining the root causes of incarceration and the path to healing through transformation. But Mayra and Tony do much more than just drive. They are trusted allies to the children they transport—often waking up before dawn and making 6–8 hour round trips to create meaningful moments of connection between children and their mothers at Taconic and Bedford Correctional Facilities. Their commitment embodies the core of Hour Children’s mission, and we are proud to work alongside them. Interfaith Prison Partnership, Inc. Hour Children, Inc.