This Is What Family Looks Like

By Margaret DeFrancisco

An overwhelming sense of pride washes over me whenever I speak about being a parent. I am the proud parent of the most precious soul that’s ever walked the earth. The moment I realized I was pregnant, I told myself my child would always know without a doubt that they were loved.

I also remember what it was like to be a child. Everything doesn’t need to be serious. Dwight Correctional Center had an actual sand park equipped with slides, swings, and a set of monkey bars. When my daughter came to visit for Saturday camp, surrounding circumstances disappeared into the background. Dwight has long been closed, and my daughter is now 21 years old, but those moments remain.

Being incarcerated has definitely created enormous hurdles, but nothing has broken our bond. Mothering has given me the insight to realize how important it is to listen, provide guidance, and offer suggestions.

Open communication has strengthened trust and honesty and helped shape the both of us.

By Ashley Maloney, NPEP volunteer

From my mom, an elementary school teacher, I learned that teachers often become more than educators. They become chosen family. I watched her stay after school to decorate her classroom for birthdays and holidays, attend her students’ plays and sports games, and offer her time and heart well beyond the classroom. Her example taught me that parenting is not about titles. It is about showing up and being there, not just when it’s easy, but when it’s needed the most.

Educators, like parents, support and build a community where everyone feels cared for and valued.

I saw this when coaching soccer to children ages 3 to 8. Whether it was cheering from the sidelines or offering words of encouragement, I realized that even the smallest acts of care can have the biggest impact. In NPEP, I found a community rooted in resilience and shared growth, where mentorship and learning help individuals thrive academically and personally.

Making someone feel safe, seen, and heard. That is what family means to me.