Deeply entrenched feelings of anger, despair, abandonment, and loneliness often manifest themselves in negative and damaging behavioral disorders. But by far, the most important activity has been the structured, bi-weekly group meetings of mothers and daughters in the Travis County Jail. The meetings eschew the crowded, assigned-seat environment that normally characterizes jail visitations. Instead, the meetings provide a sense of openness in which daughters can express themselves about topics they would never broach with grandparents or guardians. The often tearful meetings permit mother and daughter to establish or strengthen a relationship that has been disrupted by the mother's incarceration.
Benefits quickly become apparent.
A teacher for one of the girls remarked on her student's improved behavior and academics since joining Troop 1500. Her mom is the most important influence in her life. She's not nearly as anxious or as needy for attention and approval as she was. Over the past several months, the Youth Development Program Area has also been working with the St. David's Foundation as it develops the Root Cause Health Leadership Project within the Austin area. As its name implies, the Root Cause Project goes beyond the visible symptoms of community health problems to address the behaviors and attitudes that cause them.