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MICA’S MISSION

Envisioning Justice Solutions announces an expansion of its services to criminal justice-involved women who grieve and attempt to survive the death of a child. There are little to no services for incarcerated mothers suffering in isolation. Donations are requested to realize this vision to provide resources and support to help heal from this trauma and to honor the life of Mica Messina.

Approximately 300,000 women behind bars across the United States are significantly more likely to experience suicidal ideation, attempt suicide, or die by suicide, and to experience the death of a child. More than 60% are parents to minor children. Maternal suicide following the suicide of a child has been documented by research; for women in custody, the indignities suffered and the inability to grieve are unspeakably painful and especially life-threatening.

“ My son died…It’s impossible to grieve in that dark place…no privacy, very little initial support, punitive action if you showed too much or not enough emotion. If you didn’t react in the way they deemed acceptable, they would haul you away in handcuffs to Mental Health.“  

  - Mother serving a life sentence

Envisioning Justice Solutions is in the 1st stage of a multi-site effort to document these lived experiences.  Through this effort, Mica’s Mission will learn about loss and survival under impossible conditions with the ultimate goal of policy recommendations surrounding grief and loss.

“I cannot imagine navigating my loss in such isolation.”

  - Nena Messina, CEO, Envisioning Justice Solutions