AIM's reading library has books on many subjects so students can develop many interests. Photo by Pete Winkel

"They help us with our homework when we need it. They give me a much better understanding of the work I have to do. And they make it fun. Like learning geometry by making shapes with candy."

Latasha, Age 12

AIM History

History and Success | Programs and Services | Photos

The Center for Children of Incarcerated Parents reports that children of imprisoned parents are five times more likely to be put behind bars than other children. With such staggering numbers, Sandra Barnhill, could not look the other way. In 1987 she formed AIM to help reverse that trend. Sandra recognized the crucial importance of trying to hold together the ties that bind family members to one another when the mother is incarcerated. Sandra's love is felt throughout the entire organization. Her spirit and loyalty to the cause, motivate every volunteer, caregiver, child and mother. Her faith in the ability to reverse the odds is contagious.

AIM continues to faithfully work to diminish the impact of the mother's incarceration on family relationships through a variety of support services to the children and other family members.

1987

Aid to Imprisoned Mothers, Inc. was founded to help diminish the impact of the mother's incarceration on family relationships.

1988

During our first year of operation, we published the manual, Parenting from Prison: A Handbook for Incarcerated Mothers. The manual was made available free of charge to all inmate mothers.

1989

AIM hosted the 5th Annual Roundtable on Women in Prison, a national meeting of individuals, groups and organizations with interests similar to ours.

1990

We initiated the Children's Counseling Project, the first of its kind in the nation for children with imprisoned mothers. In 1989 we also published the manual Jails and Justice: A Handbook for Incarcerated Women, which guides women through the stressful and potentially confusing sequence of events in the criminal justice system.

1994

Aid to Imprisoned Mothers, Inc. changed its name to Aid to Children of Imprisoned Mothers Inc. to highlight our increased focus on children's well-being.

1996

AIM has always been committed to strong volunteer leadership and support. The National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) recognized our volunteer efforts on behalf of incarcerated mothers and their families. The NCCD awarded us the Pass Award.

1997

Sandra Barnhill participated in a 1-year fellowship with the Annie E. Casey Foundation; the largest foundation dedicated solely to disadvantaged children and families. As a Casey Fellow, Sandra examined state level programming for children of incarcerated parents and developed a model, which requires communities and public systems to work together for the children. Additionally, she investigated ways to call national attention to the urgent needs of these children.

1998

AIM received a further distinction and was honored at the 3rd Annual Catholic Social Services, Inc. Luncheon. AIM received an official commendation for the outstanding work AIM is doing to bring hope to a culture of violence.

2000

AIM begins its after school Teen Leadership Program. With its new program, AIM provides a regular forum to empower teens and discuss issues important to them.

2001

AIM launches Children and Family Networks (CFN), a national coalition of families, community groups and government agencies to provide resources and information to empower families.

For the first time, a former child participant, Lucretia Doyle, joins AIM's Board of Directors.

2002

AIM celebrates 15 years of service and moves to the West End area of Atlanta to be closer to communities hit hard by high incarceration and dropout rates. Moving to West End also puts AIM closer to the children and families it serves.

2003

AIM's after school dinner program begins serving vegetarian dishes and following "brain-based learning" techniques to introduce children to healthier eating habits.

2004

For the second time, AIM hosts the national Roundtable on Women in Prison, meeting for its 11th conference.

Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health and the Goizueta School of Business select AIM to as an honoree of the 2004 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Awards.

Sandra Barnhill receives the highly selective Ford Foundation Leadership for a Changing World award, which recognizes leaders that are "tackling the nation's most entrenched social problems, getting results and changing lives".

Recognizing that families caring for children of imprisoned mothers often face mounting bills and basic vital needs, CFN launches a toll-free, 24-hour hotline to connect families in Metro Atlanta to referrals for emergency services, including housing and food assistance.

2005

AIM becomes the subject of a Ford Foundation and Georgia State University study looking to replicate how AIM interests young people in community leadership.