OFFENDERS GRADUATE FROM PROBATION’S MOTHERS PROGRAM

A group of five court-involved mothers graduated from the 12-week Mothers Program of the West Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court where they learned how to keep their families intact and to address challenging parenting issues. The ceremony took place Thursday afternoon at the courthouse.

The women -- on probation for offenses that range from assault and battery to larceny and shoplifting as well as drug charges — range in age from 20 to 30. This year’s graduates are from the Hyde Park, Roslindale, and West Roxbury areas. Four of the mothers have custody of their children and one does not. 

Established in 1998 by First Justice Kathleen E. Coffey and Assistant Chief Probation Officer Helen Brown, the Mothers Program has enrolled more than 100 women. Once a week, the mothers meet at the courthouse and attend lectures and interactive sessions on issues that range from substance abuse to employment and nutrition to education. Upon completion of the program, the mothers participate in an aftercare program at Dimock Community Health Center that helps them in their recovery and with staying on the right side of the law.

“This program introduces the mothers to a new way of thinking and provides them with important parenting skills. The program incorporates life skills and puts the mothers in touch with resources in the community which are free of charge,” said Assistant Chief Probation Officer Brown.

A speaker at the ceremony and program graduate, who wished to remain anonymous, said of her experience, “We have just completed a 12-week training program and through that program, I can say for all of us that we will be able to enjoy and appreciate our parental freedom. And, we have learned a better way of coping with situations and withstanding the test of our children.”

The graduate said at first she was angry about being court-involved. However, she said  Probation Officer and Mothers Program  Coordinator Crystal Heck, told her something she could not deny. “I was very angry but deep down inside something Crystal had said to me was the truth. She said that I had invited the court into my life with my behavior and now I had to go through the process.”

She added, “The program got underway. Speaker after speaker, week in and week out, we learned  of the multitude of resources out there that are available for parents ... I could not miss a class. As a matter of fact, I would scurry around my office every Thursday to get things done so that I could take the half hour ride to the Mothers Program. It was fun , and believe it or not, I now have a better relationship with my 15-year-old daughter. Through sharing each week, I know that the other parents have better relationships with their children too.”