When Jesus Went to the Women’s Prison

What happens when two ministries who are relentlessly dedicated to bettering the lives of children across the country – and across the world – partner together?God shows up in miraculous ways.

Palmer Home for Children partnered with Nashville-based children’s ministry Jonah’s Journey in 2014. We’ve been moving full steam ahead ever since and haven’t looked back. Approximately 39 children have been placed in loving caregiver homes since the two ministries joined forces. Jonah’s Journey works most often with children of incarcerated mothers, many who reside at the Tennessee Prison for Women. If it weren’t for the passionate supporters and caregivers at Jonah’s Journey, these children would likely end up in state foster care; they probably wouldn’t have the opportunity to connect and bond with their birth mothers.

However, when a child is placed with Jonah’s Journey, they are given the chance to know their birth mom. Several caregivers within the ministry make it a point to not only foster a relationship with the child in their care, but also to build a relationship with the child’s mom. And while Jonah’s Journey doesn’t require this of its caregivers, many discover the bonds of friendship can run deeper than the stigma of social disgrace.

“I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am one mistake from being in her shoes,” said one caregiver about the mother of the Jonah’s Journey child in her care. “I had a great family support system growing up that she didn’t have. But I could make one wrong decision and it could destroy everything. That became very clear to me.”