Project Matthew is a faith based Parenting, Childbirth and Life Skills education and support program focused to mothers who may be incarcerated in County and State Jails, or residents in domestic violence and homeless shelters in Dallas, Texas.

Since 1999, Project Matthew has been excited to reach out to high risk and incarcerated women who may be mothers and/or soon-to-be moms. (40% of our clients are pregnant.)

We believe that our programs are having an impact and making a difference in the many lives of these mothers and their children. We coordinate with extended families, social, county and state agencies, to positively affect these families.

Did you know:

• 2.4 MILLION American children have a parent behind bars today.
  • 70% of children who were present at a parent’s arrest watched that parent being handcuffed, and 30% were confronted with drawn weapons.
• 3 IN 100 American children will go to sleep tonight with a parent in jail or prison.
• 50% of all children with incarcerated mothers are cared for by grandparents, many in poverty.
• Only SIX state child welfare systems in this country have a policy in place to address the needs of children of incarcerated parents. Texas is currently not one of them. (*)

When incarcerated moms attend Project Matthew classes, it is a time to deal with the impact their life choices have on their children. A large majority of the women have drug and alcohol issues, but when they attend class, they are sober and not intoxicated, and they start to think seriously about their problems. Some have already lost their parental rights to their children; others are at risk to do so. Many have their lives so far off the tracks; they don’t know how to get back onto course without some direction and assistance. They are so happy to know that they are not forgotten, that there are people who care about them, and their children, that they can rebuild hope for their future, and their children’s future.

Project Matthew’s programs are voluntary, so the students are usually very receptive, eager to learn and develop knowledge to better themselves as individuals and parents. The teaching style is interactive, with lectures, videos, role-playing and demonstration. In their exit evaluations they often say that they feel more secure in their role as a parent, and more prepared and equipped to move on and have a successful life.

We also offer individualized case management for some of the mothers and their situations:

• Adapt the education and information as necessary to them individually
• Researching resources and programs that would be beneficial in their situation.
• Assisting extended families to gain knowledge and access resources available to them in the community

If you have an interest in knowing more about Project Matthew and our programs, please contact us at the numbers below and we would love to talk with you.

Thank you visiting our web page and for your interest, may God bless you.