WHAT WE DO

Promoting brighter futures for Bay Area children with a parent in prison.

About Us

Project Avary improves life outcomes for children with parents in prison.  By surrounding them early with a community of peers and caring adults and through long-term guidance and training, children develop the emotional, social, and life skills that are essential for growing into healthy young adults. As children “grow up” with Project Avary, they assume leadership responsibilities and develop the skills to mentor and guide younger children in the program. 

History of the Organization

In 1998 Danny Rifkin, Project Avary's founder, learned that children of incarcerated parents were virtually ignored by policy makers and youth development programs. In 1999 Rifkin held Project Avary's first summer camp.

Since then Project Avary has created a long-term, continuum of support for children of incarcerated parents including a free summer camp, school-year enrichment and psycho-social support for children, leadership training for teens, and valuable support for caregivers. Over 350 children have improved their life prospects through programs based on solid youth development strategies that include supportive peer and adult relationships and a meaningful sense of belonging to community.

The Need for Avary

865,000 Children in California have a parent in prison, on parole, or on probation.

Research tells us that children whose parents have been or are currently in prison:

• May show signs of depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder
• Are at higher risk for drug and alcohol addiction and teen parenthood
• Are more likely to end up in juvenile detention than their peers
• Can be angry and distrustful of adults
• Often experience abuse and/or neglect
• Struggle in school
• Feel socially isolated

"Avary is just the perfect, perfect, perfect place to be!"

- Avary Teen

Project Avary is dedicated to improving life outcomes for children with a parent in prison or jail. These children face heightened odds they will become involved with the criminal justice system. Avary helps them avoid that path by providing emotionally and physically safe environments in which they gain a sense of community, increased self-knowledge, and valuable life skills. 

Children join the Avary community during elementary school and are encouraged to remain involved into young adulthood. Belonging to a supportive community helps children to grow and transcend the challenges linked to losing a parent to prison or jail. The network of support children develop through Avary remains active long after they leave the program.

Project Avary is a regional organization, serving young people throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. This allows Avary participants to remain in the program, even if their home placement or living situation changes.