With Special guest Sister Tesa Fitzgerald the founder of Hour Children, a home in Long Island City, Queens for children whose mothers were incarcerated.
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Tommy introduces his guest, Sister Tesa Fitzgerald. She is the founder of Hour Children This is an organization that provides resources for children whose mothers are incarcerated. Tommy reads Tesa’s bio which includes her education, awards and acknowledgments, and the founding of her organization. Tesa tells a story about how children would refer to her organization as “Mother’s House”. She talks about the significance of the “hour” in “Hour Children”. Hour Children is based in Queens with nine houses so far. They provide basic needs for the mothers and their children. They have a thrift shop and food pantry,
Sister Tesa goes into detail about the food pantry. She talks about the elevated need for food due to the pandemic. She also talks about the donations she gets for her organization. Some of these basic needs include: diapers, coats, socks, and other articles of clothing. She says, “We are very attentive to what the people are asking for”. Sister Tesa tells the public who they can reach out to if they want to volunteer. Tommy and Sister Tesa talk about some of the guilt people may feel when getting help from a food pantry. Sister Tesa talks about the importance of volunteers having conversations with people in the food pantry lines. This creates a human connection.
Tommy asks Sister Tesa to talk about the transition of a woman from being incarcerated back into the real world. Sister Tesa describes the process of smoothly being women back into society. They set up housing and create routines for them to get them accustomed to the real world.The women are then enrolled in the Working Women training program. This program provides resources for women to start working. Sister Tesa also talks about the discrimination the women face due to their criminal records.
Sister Tesa talks about some of the projects her organization is working on such as the stereotype of Rykers and poverty.There is also a parole advocacy virtual event. Sister Tesa plugs Hour Children’s website. She recommends coming in person and meeting the women. Sister Tesa says her organization needs laptops.
