SUCCESS STORIES
Because of YOU!
R4 has been hard at work assisting returning citizens and their families with becoming acclimated upon release.
GIVING BACK
2020 Scholarship Recipient
Michael Mangrum is a 2020 graduate from Gretna High School in Gretna, VA. He has played trombone for the past 4 years in his school's band and he currently attended Radford University. he majors in music education. His goal is to become a band director at either the high school or collegiate level.
As a child of someone who is incarcerated, he was eligible to write an essay that gave him the opportunity to receive this scholarship. We are so proud of him and know that he will go on to do great things!
FUNRAISER
2020 Annual Inaugural Four Mile Fundraiser
With your support, we reached dour goal of $10,000!
2020, we had a virtual fundraiser to raise funds that went towards clothing, shelter, transportation, food, and government IDs for returning citizens. These proceeds also went towards providing coats, hats, and gloves for children impacted by incarceration for the winter season.
Thank you to everyone who contributed and made this fundraiser such a success! We truly appreciate your support!
Franklin McNutt has been incarcerated for the majority of his life.
On March 27, 2020, 45 days before his release, Franklin was admitted to the hospital with COVID 19. Listen to his story.
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GIVING BACK
Adopted Gretna Elementary School
R4 provided backpacks, toys, and clothes to the children of Gretna Elementary School who are impacted by incarceration.
EVENT
First Annual Inaugural Golf Tournament
R4 held its very first Golf Tournament on September 13, 2019. Their goal was to have 72 golfers sign up for the event. R4 exceeded the expectations of most and had 105 golfers sign up. It was an amazing day of golfing as well as networking.
There were great raffle items, such as a 5-day stay at a Villa in Costa Rico. It was an event enjoyed by all. According to Lake Presidential, it was one of the largest Inaugural Golf Tournaments that they have hosted.
CONFERENCE
The International Coalition for Children with Incarcerated Parents
Dr. Robin Bell was afforded the opportunity to attend this year’s Conference, which was held at the University of Huddersfield, UK from 12-14 August 2019. The Conference was a three-day event with presentations, workshops and symposiums focused on the impact of parental imprisonment. It was an opportunity to network and share ideas and best practices with people from across the world who has a parent incarcerated!
This video describes the emotional trauma that many children who has an incarcerated parent has to live with.
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OPPORTUNITY
Conducting Mock Interview at DC Department of Corrections
Being a part of the Mock Interviews at the DC Department of Corrections was an amazing experience. To be able to give hope to those that most of society considers the Lost, Last and Least Desirable warms the heart!
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT
Northern VA Juvenile Detention Center
Dr. Robin Bell was asked to speak at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center (NVJDC) to motivate and encourage our young people who are there. It was a very humbling experience. An experienced, which made me realize that as a society, we must do better by taking charge of our young people.
Youth may be placed at the facility by order of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, or by an order of the Circuit Court.
INTERVIEW
Tune-in to Dr. Bell Interview
"While I was at the Inside-Out training with the California prison think tank members, I just felt like I belonged there. That's where I needed to be - making a difference."
Dr. Robin Bell
Dr. Robin Bell reflects on her experience of taking the Inside-Out Training in 2019. She wants to apply her new facilitation skills to her work supporting returning citizens.
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OPPORTUNITY
Job Fair For Returning Citizens
On April 30, 2019, R4 participated in the Alexandria Annual Job Fair for Returning Citizens. It was opportunity for those formerly incarcerated to use the resources provided by the State of Virginia.
R4 provided autographed books written by Dr. Bell. "False Start, Race to Prison". We also provided Mother's Day cards with the envelope for those who couldn't afford to purchase Mother's Day cards.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT
Inside/Out Guest Speaker
Dr. Robin Bell was the Guest Speaker at the DC Department of Corrections and the Department of Justice, Law & Criminology at American University for the Connections to Criminal Procedure Community Dialogue. The American University Students and the Insiders at DC Jail participated in this event!
R4 helped Rico Taylor when he was released from prison in 2019. His story goes far beyond the 18 years that he was incarcerated for a non-violent crime.
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We are here to help share stories.
R4 have experience working with inmates and children of incarcerated parents to help share their perspective through book publishing.
Until We Are Together Again
by Mahiyah & Cabren Hall (Authors), Dr. Robin J. Bell (Co-Author), & Annie Penland (Illustrator)
In the Spring of 2018, Mahiya and Cabren's mother was incarcerated. The stigma that a child carries when their parent is incarcerated, is far too much for any child to deal with. I believe this journal will make Mahiya and Cabren stronger young ladies. As one of them stated; “With family and God, all things are possible!"
False Start-Race to Prison: "My Mom Set Me Up"
By Dr. Robin J Bell & Terry Bell (Authors)
There are more black men in prison today than were enslaved in the 1850s. Would that be the case if women would stop creating babies by men whom they do not have a committed relationship? I say no. These little black babies are born with
a False Start and a Race to Prison, "Because Their Moms' Set Them Up!"
Ghetto P.I.E.S.: The Life of Mr. L.D. Mosley
by Mr. Larry D. Mosley (Author), Dr. Robin J. Bell, Kamaryn G. Younger, & Kandace A. Younger (Editors)
I am a 66-year-old black man, who still has dreams to fulfill. Dreams of happiness with all the standard attachments; home, wife, family, acceptable social life, career, college education, money, and real friends. Of course, life got in the way. Instead of dealing with life on life’s terms, I lost my way to fulfilling my dreams. I was made fully aware that I would not get a second chance to live my life.
CO-AUTHORED
Book signing with authors
Dr. Bell co-authored a book with her two nieces, which was published in November 2018. There was a Book Signing on December 8, 2018. Their mother is incarcerated and this is their story.