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MIDDLE SCHOOL CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING PERIODS IN A KID'S LIFE. ADD IN HAVING A PARENT IN PRISON, AND LIFE CAN BE OVERWHELMING.

In the Houston Metro Area alone, more than 43,000 middle school age children have had an incarcerated parent. It is a hidden epidemic. Even if they don't talk about having a mom or dad in prison, the shame and emotional scars are still there. GEMS shows middle school students that the past doesn't have to define their futures.

WHY MIDDLE SCHOOL?

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Middle school is when children are most at risk of getting off track. Depression starts to emerge. Kids join gangs or get caught for crimes for the first time. Truancy and low grades put them on the path to dropping out.

gaining empowerment

in middle school

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The challenges facing these students are systemic. The answer is to support the whole child by working together with schools, families, and the community.

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HELP US CHANGE LIVES BECAUSE AMAZING FUTURES START NOW.

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Click to download our research paper on challenges facing children of incarceration in middle school.

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