The Greenup Beacon

"We offer a small group setting where the students can be open with their concerns, worries, and positive thoughts as they relate to their incarcerated loved one. We provide lessons for the students that show them how to deal with the emotions that come with having a parent incarcerated," Kristi Whitaker said. Examples of emotions that are addresse... d are: worry, shame, guilt, and embarrassment. "We work on self-esteem, positive decision-making skills, and career opportunities. Our goal is to provide PreK-12 students the skills they need to be able to rise above their circumstances and be positive, productive members of society," she added. Kristi Whittaker and Jalina Wheeler have both experienced personal family members that have struggled with incarceration. This led Kristi to approach Sean Horne, Russell Independent Schools Superintendent and Pam Wright, Principal at R-MIS in July of 2017. The idea was to provide students in the school with a small group support that helps build and encourage them. Jalina Wheeler joined in. Since August 2017, the group has grown from 5 students to over 30 at R-MIS alone. Students in the group have better grades, attendance, and less behavior referrals from the previous school year. Many of them have become friends and have gained hope. Guardians give consent and are encouraged to join in on some groups. All schools in the Russell Independent School District, now have KRUSH programs. The goal now is to provide training for other schools to use the program with all students. This summer, the KRUSH group will provide a summer camp for students involved attending Russell Schools. Kristi Whittaker - Kristi has worked in the Russell Independent School System for ten years as a special education instructional aide. This summer (2018) she graduated from Ashland Community and Technical College with an Associate of Arts Degree. Over the years in the school system, she has worked with students who are dealing with loved ones being incarcerated. These students experienced negative ...Read More