NJDOC Partners with Give Something Back to Support Youth of Incarcerated Parents

Statewide initiative to provide long-term academic coaching and mentoring aimed at breaking cycles of incarceration and poverty

The New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) has entered into a formal partnership with the national nonprofit Give Something Back to offer sustained academic and life coaching for children of incarcerated individuals. This collaboration is designed to support justice-impacted youth beginning in middle school and continuing through college and early career, with the goal of interrupting generational cycles of incarceration and promoting long-term stability.

"Education is a powerful, transformative tool," said NJDOC Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn, Esq. "When we open doors to learning, we open doors to stability, opportunity, and a future free from the cycles that have held too many children and families back. Partnering with Give Back allows us to stand beside these students with the resources and support they need to not just imagine a better future, but to achieve it."

In a newly announced initiative, the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Give Something Back (Give Back) to provide long-term academic coaching and support services to young people impacted by parental incarceration or other significant childhood adversity. The effort centers on youth with high Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scores, including children of inmates at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Bridgeton, New Jersey.

Under the terms of the agreement, Give Back will provide each student with a personal success plan and a dedicated coach who offers academic guidance, trauma-informed mentoring, and practical support such as help with food, transportation, and college preparation. The coaching relationship is intended to last through middle and high school, continue into post-secondary education, and extend into the early stages of employment.

“The program’s continued success is strongly tied to its coaches,” the release noted, emphasizing the deep, personalized relationships they build with students over several years. These coaches work alongside families and schools to help youth navigate academic challenges, prepare for college or career pathways, and access necessary resources. Services include college and career coaching, financial aid navigation, regular mentoring, and wraparound support.

Give Back, founded in 2018, has served over 2,000 students nationwide, many from communities with historically low rates of college completion. The organization reports that over 80% of participating students have either earned a post-secondary degree or are currently on track to do so.

To evaluate and improve outcomes, Give Back uses a robust data system, tracking more than 1.2 million data points, including student progress, academic risk indicators, and feedback from bi-monthly student surveys. This information helps coaches adjust interventions in real time, ensuring each youth receives targeted, responsive support.

“This partnership has been a dream long in the making. When I first met Bob Carr, the founder of Give Back, more than ten years ago, our very first conversation was about Edna Mahan. He had just sold Heartland Systems and wanted to dedicate his resources to changing outcomes for children of incarcerated mothers, who face more obstacles than most. He couldn’t imagine a more compelling purpose, and he has stayed true to that vision ever since – investing more than $100M to college readiness, access, and completion for the most vulnerable students,” said Melissa Helmbrecht, Chief Executive Officer of Give Back. “Today represents a full-circle moment and the formalization of that purpose.”

The NJDOC’s role in the partnership reflects a broader agency priority of reducing recidivism and improving public safety through preventive and rehabilitative strategies. By addressing risk factors early and promoting educational opportunity, the department aims to support the next generation before justice involvement begins.

“The partnership is grounded in a shared belief that investing in young people early on helps break the cycles of incarceration and trauma and promotes long-term economic stability and strengthens communities,” the NJDOC and Give Back stated jointly.

Give Back’s work aligns with the growing national emphasis on supporting children of incarcerated parents, a population shown to face increased barriers to educational achievement and social mobility. Through this partnership, both organizations aim to disrupt systemic cycles, expand access to opportunity, and build a stronger, more equitable future for vulnerable youth in New Jersey.

More information on Give Something Back is available at giveback.ngo.