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Project Avary and the Impact of Incarceration on Children

By Guest Author: Natasha Blakely-Berteloot

Training and Engagement Specialist, Project Avary

I was at a conference and the speaker Emani Davis mentioned that, “those that are in need are closest to the solution, but lack the resources. Those with the resources may lack the knowledge so it is important to work together and share resources available to families in need.”

Parental incarceration is a profound trauma that disrupts a child’s sense of safety, stability, and belonging. Children of incarcerated parents (CIPs) often carry shame, face emotional isolation, and can experience mental health challenges, poverty, housing instability, academic barriers, and justice system involvement—all while navigating systems not designed to support them. Despite these overlapping challenges, they are frequently left out of traditional youth services and remain one of the most overlooked populations in youth development.

Project Avary’s mission is to break generational cycles of incarceration by providing long-term support, healing, and leadership development for children of incarcerated parents. Based in the Bay Area and serving Northern California for over 26 years—and serving CIPs nationally since 2020—Project Avary walks alongside youth from ages 8 to 25 through transformative programming that includes summer camps, leadership retreats, nature-based adventures, after-school support groups, and services for families. The organization’s unique model fosters stability, connection, and growth for youth navigating the challenges of parental incarceration.

I have worked with Project Avary for the last 4 years and I am currently the Training and Engagement Specialist as well as one of the Lead Counselors. Like most on staff at Project Avary, I have personal experience with having an incarcerated parent. Growing up in a low-income single parent household I was strongly impacted by community enrichment programs for underserved youth. From a young age, I made it my aim to give back to those in my community. After obtaining a degree in Education and a minor in Counseling, I deepened my passion to serve others while working with Project Avary and became a Certified Life Coach. You can hear more about my story on Rainbows’ Podcast “ACE-ing Grief,” The Impact of Incarceration on Children.

Project Avary leans into a group mentoring leadership development model that allows children who are impacted by incarceration to face life challenges together in a long term healing environment. Visit www.projectavary.org to learn more about services that are available to children who have parents who have been or who are currently impacted by the carceral system, and how you can support.