Bridges of Hope

08/11/2026

We want to hear from families and loved ones who visit California state prisons.

The Debt Free Justice California Coalition is collecting feedback through a California State Prison Visiting Food Access & Vending Survey to better understand the real experiences families are having with vending machines during visits.

The survey asks about pricing, food quality, availability, broken machines, refunds, affordability, and whether high vending costs are creating financial strain for families during visits.

These experiences matter. The information collected will help identify patterns across institutions and strengthen advocacy around visiting costs, family access, and conditions inside visiting rooms.

If you currently visit a CDCR institution, please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share it with other families who visit.

🔗 Survey Link:
California Prison Visiting Food Access & Vending Survey (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcdh7Ztx9RipT8m6pq15DMm-tPmEpuyEbGHSkBw2VlSFNIYw/viewform)

Please share widely so we can hear from families across California.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. The purpose of this survey is to better understand the quality, pricing, availability, and consistency of vending machine services in CDCR visiting rooms.The Debt Free Justice California Coalition is considering legislation to lower the price of...

08/09/2026

A huge THANK YOU to Andra Bonilla for supporting our Reconnecting Families programs at CCWF and Salinas Valley State Prison! 💙✨

Andrea generously placed decoration orders to help us create beautiful, meaningful spaces for our upcoming family reunification celebrations. 🎈🎓

These details may seem small, but they help transform an institutional space into something that feels like a true celebration, one where parents and children can make memories together and families can celebrate the hard work that brought them to this moment.

We are so grateful for people like Andrea who believe in this work and continue showing up for our families. 🫶🏽

Thank you, Andra, for helping us make these Reconnecting Families celebrations extra special! ♥️

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3DSU27HKQSYO1?ref_=wl_share

08/03/2026

A birthday is more than a celebration, it’s a reminder that love can reach across any distance. 💙🎈

Friday, one very special little girl was reminded that although her father is incarcerated, his love for her never stops.

Through Bridges of Hope, her dad was able to send birthday surprises filled with love.. a cuddly teddy bear, sweet treats, balloons, and a heartfelt card just for her. Watching her smile, laugh, and read his message is exactly why we do this work.

Her father is a proud participant in our Salinas Valley Reconnecting Families Cohort, where we work to strengthen and restore the bond between incarcerated parents and their children. When he learned his daughter would receive these gifts, he shared that it meant more to him than words could express. He told us it was the first time an organization had actually done what they said they were going to do. That trust matters. Keeping our promises matters. Because families matter.

Children should never have to question whether they are loved because of a parent’s incarceration. Small moments like these help preserve the bond between parent and child, creating memories that can carry them through difficult seasons.

At Bridges of Hope, we believe every child deserves to feel seen, celebrated, and connected to the people who love them. This is more than a birthday gift it is hope, healing, and the power of family.

When you give to Bridges of Hope, you give through us. Your generosity becomes birthday surprises, family connection, restored trust, healing conversations, and tangible reminders that no child should ever feel forgotten because of a parent’s incarceration.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl! May you always know you are deeply loved. ❤️

of Hope Ca Edible Arrangements

07/22/2026

Saturday marked our very first Ripple Effects: Victim Impact session at CCWF, and what a powerful beginning it was.

We were honored to welcome our guest speaker, Dawn, co-founder of Two Hearts One Mission, whose courageous testimony deeply moved every participant in the room. Her story was a powerful reminder that crime never impacts just one person; it creates ripple effects that reach parents, children, spouses, siblings, friends, entire communities, and even future generations.

Too often we focus only on the individual directly involved, but every decision has a lasting impact on countless lives. Healing begins when we recognize that truth, take accountability, and create space for empathy, restoration, and hope.

Dawn has also recently published her new book, Hearts Still Beating: Exploring Grief, The Weight We Carry: A Journey Through Grief, Healing, and Transformation. It is available for purchase on Amazon https://amzn.to/4fvZTbk and can even be sent directly to your incarcerated loved one, making its message of healing and hope accessible to those who need it most.

We are incredibly grateful to Dawn for sharing her heart, her story, and her wisdom as she helped lay the foundation for meaningful conversations that will continue throughout this journey. This is only the beginning. 🤍


Two Hearts One Mission

07/22/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Katrina Volk for generously donating the red carpet for our Reconnecting Families Graduation & Family Celebration Day! ❤️

This is so much more than a red carpet; it represents dignity, celebration, and unforgettable memories. We can’t wait to watch children run to their moms and dads, then proudly walk beside them as they celebrate this incredible milestone together.

Your generosity is helping create a day these families will remember for the rest of their lives. Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us make these moments so special. We are truly grateful! 🤍

07/11/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Cruz for your generous support of our Reconnecting Families Family Celebration Days at CCWF and SVSP! ❤️

Thank you for purchasing multiple items from our Amazon Wishlist to help make these celebrations possible. Your unwavering support and generosity are helping us create meaningful experiences where children and their incarcerated parents can reconnect, celebrate accomplishments, and make lasting memories together.

Supporters like you remind us that it truly takes a community to strengthen families and inspire hope. We are incredibly grateful for your continued belief in our mission and for helping bring these special days to life.

Thank you for standing with Bridges of Hope Ca and the families we serve. Your kindness is making a lasting impact. 💙

07/05/2026

https://forms.gle/voCf9HZs1nen6hFPA

331 signatures & counting! Letsssss go! Hearing is this week!

06/28/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Danielle Ellis for your generous donation of additional graduation caps and gowns for our Reconnecting Families Family Celebration Day! 🎓❤️

Your support is helping make this special day possible for families at CCWF and SVSP. Because of your generosity, more parents will have the opportunity to be recognized for their hard work and commitment, while their children witness these incredible achievements firsthand.

There is something so powerful about a child seeing their mom or dad celebrated for their accomplishments. These moments create hope, inspire change, and remind families that growth and transformation are always possible.

Thank you, Danielle, for investing in these families and helping us create meaningful memories that will last a lifetime. We are so grateful for your kindness and support!

With gratitude,
Bridges of Hope Team ♥️

06/28/2026

A huge thank you to Dolores Canales for your generous support of our Reconnecting Families program by purchasing plate sets and items for our picture wall from our Amazon Wishlist! ❤️📸

Because of your kindness, families at CCWF and SVSP will gather around beautifully decorated tables, share meaningful moments together, and capture precious memories during Family Celebration Day.

What makes this even more special is that Dolores will be there in person to celebrate alongside these families! We cannot wait to see the families posing, smiling, and making memories together teehee! 🥰

These moments will become treasured keepsakes for children and their parents, serving as lasting reminders of love, healing, and the hard work they have put into strengthening their family bonds.

Thank you, Dolores, for not only supporting this vision but for showing up and being part of these special moments. Your generosity and presence mean more than words can express, and we are so grateful for you!

With heartfelt appreciation - We love you Dolores♥️
Bridges of Hope Team