Get on the Bus event unites families at CCWF and other facilities

For the residents of Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF), the May 10 Get on the Bus (GOTB) Mother’s Day celebration brought family, joy, and lots of love.

GOTB is an annual event put on by the Center for Restorative Justice Works (CRJW). It allows parents and their children to spend a day together and make memories that may not have been possible otherwise. The nonprofit provides children with transportation to facilities where their parents are housed. They also bring all of the food and activities, such as painting and fun games to play. This year, 26 incarcerated individuals were given the opportunity to enjoy extended family time.

“There is no distance I won’t travel to see my child,” said Diana Brown, who echoed the sentiments of many visiting their loved ones.

According to CRJW Executive Director Liz Rios, GOTB was founded in 1999 by representatives from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, who visited three women’s prisons on a Catholic Delegation. While there, they asked the incarcerated women what they missed most. They all enthusiastically said their children.

The sisters were so impacted that they formed Women in Criminal Justice — a network to organize and advocate for incarcerated women — and sponsored the first GOTB trip to CCWF and then-Valley State Prison for Women. The inaugural bus allowed nine incarcerated mothers to see their children, a number that has only grown since. Now supported by CRJW, the program sends a bus to 13 prisons across the state and will soon add one more: Pelican Bay State Prison.

Anticipation for GOTB swelled throughout the holding area outside of visiting as residents waited to embrace their loved ones.

Participants like Milani Larrea said she wrote letters to her daughter Laini and granddaughter Kailani through the program.

“In 25 years, this is my first GOTB and I am super excited,” Larrea said as the moment grew near for her to enter the visiting area.

The opportunity to color, paint, and use myriad other art forms gave way to giggles, smiles, and showers of kisses. Pictures from the day gleamed with love as they colored, laughed, and loved on this day of celebration, created especially for them to make lifetime memories.

Katreeva Woolf and her family enjoyed their first GOTB. Woolf’s daughter Gabriel, who brought her own children along, said, “I wanted to give my children the experience of being with my mom on Mother’s Day. From the backpacks to the activities, a good time has been had.”

While many stayed indoors and created memories, others moved outside to use the jungle gym to expel some of the “sugar rush” of the treats. It also gave time for the moments many mothers do not usually have — that special one-on-one time with their child.

Twelve-year-old Antanique said she enjoyed visiting her aunt.

“Playing outside and getting my hair braided by my auntie are what I love the most,” she said.

She has visited CCWF 12 times ever since she was 3 months old.

Like Antanique, many families are recurring guests. Faith B. has been visiting her mom for 17 years.

“When I was little, it was exciting,” Faith said. “But now that I’m older, I want to build that bond.”

Correctional Officer A. Haley, who supervised the B side visiting, said, “Spending quality time with loved ones will be encouragement to show up as the best version of one’s self — Best version, better choices, and more opportunities to make a difference; to be the change.”

Resident Dayshawna Lawrence, who did not attend the event, hopes that one day, more residents will have the opportunity to participate.

“[GOTB] would give people more motivation for positive programming while also keeping and building stronger bonds with family members,” Lawrence said.

Day’s end approached and farewells are never easy. Hugs and tears flowed throughout both sides of visiting. A puppy parade made its way to each child as “I miss you already” and “See you soon” echoed across the room.

Those interested in attending next year’s Get on the Bus festivities should send Form 2016 to the CRM to receive an application.