Girls Embracing Mothers

11/12/2024

This essay hits all the way home ❤️‍🩹 Written by 13-year-old Maggie for Teen Vogue, she shares what it's been like to grow up with a parent behind bars who she can't touch or hug –– a trauma many of our own GEMs grow up experiencing. There are parties that benefit financially from keeping children and their parents separated – a travesty – so Maggie and others joined the campaign in suing their county to restore family visits and prevent companies from making money off family separation. We love to see young girls stepping into their power to fight against and repair unjust and broken systems 💎

The jail my dad is in got rid of in-person visits years ago.

09/25/2024

We were thrilled to attend a Dallas Wings basketball game last month for Inspiring Women Night as a community partner! It was a fantastic outing for our GEMs, who enjoyed not only the excitement of the game but also the opportunity to hear from a variety of inspiring women leaders. We're grateful for such empowering experiences and proud to be part of events that highlight the strength of women supporting women. Thank you Dallas Wings for this unforgettable evening! 💜

09/19/2024

North Texas Giving Day is here‼️ Your generous support makes a meaningful difference in the lives of girls with incarcerated mothers. ⁣
Your gift of $25 or more qualifies GEM to receive additional bonus funds from community partners. 💕 You can donate using the link below. 💕 Deadline is midnight. 🕛 Thank you in advance for helping our GEM’s shine bright! 💎

https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/girls-embracing-mothers

09/05/2024

Catch GEM founder Brittany K. Barnett on NBC DFW talking all things GEM 💎

"Girls Embracing Mothers employs a two-generational approach. Our work is rooted in connection, healing justice, and empowerment. We feel working in those pillars helps us create a lasting impact for children with incarcerated parents who are among the most vulnerable yet least visible populations. Our mission is to empower young girls with mothers in prison to break the cycle of incarceration, dream their biggest dreams, and step into who they're meant to be." 🌸💜

08/01/2024

When someone comes home from prison, their experience doesn't automatically get filed into the past – P**F! – with no impact on their (or their family's) future. People coming home from prison often face ongoing trauma, along with technological, educational, and career disadvantages, deepening the financial burdens they may have had before incarceration.

At GEM, we recognize that true liberation extends beyond the prison gates. That’s why our initiatives include economic empowerment. Through our partnership with CompTIA, we provided tech training for GEM moms, and through our partnership with Unlock Potential, we support our GEMs by providing economic mobility and creating pathways to meaningful careers. This holistic approach ensures that when we talk about freedom, we mean the ability to thrive, not just survive. 💎 🔑 💜

06/25/2024

Our Pearl visits are truly the heart of GEM, where the profound connection between mothers and daughters is nurtured and celebrated. Our monthly trips to Gatesville are more than just a visit––they are transformative experiences that dive deep into our healing justice curriculum. Mothers and daughters engage in meaningful activities, such as art therapy and shared meals, which foster emotional healing and strengthen their bonds. Through painting, journaling, and other creative expressions, they find new ways to communicate their love and support for one another. These moments of connection are filled with laughter, tears, and heartfelt conversations, creating memories that last a lifetime. The Pearl visits embody the essence of GEM's mission: to reinforce the unbreakable bond of love between mothers and daughters, even in the face of adversity.

Our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers and donors who make these special days possible, enriching the lives of our GEM families 💎💟

05/21/2024

We are happy to announce that Girls Embracing Mothers (GEM) has been honored with the Best Family Program Award at the 29th Annual Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards in Austin, Texas! 🌟

A heartfelt thank you to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for recognizing the dedication and impact of GEM's programming and our volunteers.

Our Pearl Program within TDCJ women's prisons has been a beacon of hope, strengthening mother-daughter bonds since 2013. This award is a testament to the hard work and profound difference our healing justice programming and volunteers make in the lives of women and girls each day.

To everyone who supports GEM, thank you so much. Together, we are creating lasting change! 💖

05/11/2024

150,000. That's how many mothers in America will be separated from their children by the harsh reality of incarceration on this . For all of these GEMs, tomorrow the weight of this separation will feel even heavier. And so while we hold each of these souls in our hearts every day –– we're holding on a little tighter this weekend.

Wishing a warm and connected Mother's Day to everyone who knows what that separation feels like. We see you, we love you 💜🫂

04/25/2024

Throwing it back today to this very special event in Dallas in 2018, which was all about creating positive, inspiring, expansive new core memories for our girls at the George W. Bush Presidential Center & Museum. It's heart-warming and awe-inspiring to look back at these shining faces from 6 years ago, with the knowledge of who our GEMs have continued to evolve and grow into. Diamonds – all of them 💎 💜

03/19/2024

is a time to celebrate the fortitude of women – and you'd be hard pressed to find a group of women stronger than those who've been separated from their families, and who've not only retained but STRENGTHENED their bonds, coming out stronger on the other side. Today, all month, all year, *always*, we honor the spectacular mothers and daughters of GEM, who are on a constant journey healing themselves and each other 💎💟

02/21/2024

We’re excited to announce that GEM will be participating in this year's , hosted by Dream.Org and The Wright Cause Urban Youth Conservation!

On February 23rd, join us for a day of inspiration, empowerment, and advocacy focused on raising awareness and supporting the Clean Slate legislation – especially for youth impacted by the criminal legal system in DFW.

Join us to activate for change by registering here today: https://mobilize.us/s/hHtamJ