My name is Al-Rahim Burke, Founder of Innovative Impact, a New Jersey–based nonprofit dedicated to creating programs that strengthen families, empower youth, and support rehabilitation within our communities. We are proud to introduce one of our most meaningful initiatives — the K.I.W.I. Project (Keepin’ In-Touch With Inmates) — designed to bridge the emotional and physical distance between incarcerated parents and their children.

The K.I.W.I. Project provides safe, supervised transportation for adolescents to visit their incarcerated parents or guardians in New Jersey correctional facilities. Each trip is staffed by trained Innovative Impact team members, ensuring that every youth participant is accompanied by responsible adults throughout the journey and the visit.

By reconnecting families, we help maintain critical emotional bonds that reduce recidivism, improve inmate behavior, and promote successful re-entry for those returning to society. For children, these visits help ease trauma, restore trust, and keep family identity alive — fostering compassion instead of confusion.

The 3-Month Pilot Program

We are preparing to launch a three-month trial phase involving weekly visits to two New Jersey state prisons (one mid-week and one weekend). Each trip will serve 8–10 adolescents, accompanied by our staff. During visits, each child will also receive a $20 meal stipend to share a meal with their loved one — turning what can be a difficult experience into a moment of hope and connection.