This public event is an awareness-raising initiative and community engagement project focused on exploring practical, community-based approaches to supporting children with incarcerated parents. The program integrates an interactive activity, short video presentations, and a facilitated discussion to encourage participant reflection and knowledge-sharing.
The interactive component is based on Feel the Bars, Fill the Gaps, an art-based public engagement project previously implemented in the U.S. Participants will read real-life stories from children in Canada affected by parental incarceration and respond to guided reflection questions designed to evoke empathy and spark ideas for community-based support.
We will also present a video segment featuring two short videos from Kenya and India—Global South members of the International Coalition for Children with Incarcerated Parents (INCCIP)—and one video from members of the Canadian Coalition for Children with Incarcerated Parents (CCCIP).
The event will conclude with a facilitated open discussion, inviting participants to reflect on the stories and videos, share local insights, and consider how global community-based practices might inform initiatives here in Canada.
Participant input will be documented to help better understand and highlight community perspectives on supporting children impacted by incarceration. Relevant justice-focused literature also will be available from our partner publisher, Kersplebedeb.
🗓️ Wednesday, August 20
🕕 6:00 – 7:30 PM
📍 SHIFT Centre for Social Transformation
Concordia University, Montreal