NYC Her Future Motherhood Initiative For Incarcerated Mothers On Rikers Island To Support, Strengthen Family Unity

NYC Her Future Launches Motherhood Initiative on Rikers Island to Support Incarcerated Mothers and Strengthen Family Unity 

Trauma-informed, family-centered initiative provides holistic mental health, parenting, and reentry support for incarcerated mothers and birthing individuals 

Editor’s note: Some time back, we asked Rep. AOC about what she experienced when she was taken on a tour of Rikers Island, where she was allowed to speak with some of the inmates there.  In addition, we covered the Mayor’s Office’s programs to give stable, good-paying jobs to people who have gone through the prison system.  It is notoriously difficult for an individual who has been incarcerated to find an employer willing to give them a chance.  Dave’s Killer Bread is one such ‘second chance’ business story, but it is rare nevertheless. In a commentary by SCOTUS Justice Neil Gorsuch, he discusses the erosion of justice demonstrated by mandatory minimums in sentencing, arbitrary prosecution, and overcriminalization.   There are some states where women who are pregnant and have miscarried have been imprisoned for that, but this is not something that happens in New York.  However, when it comes to birth choice, New York has a system where most of the people who would want to become midwives cannot afford to do so.  This includes lower-income women and people of color, many of whom cannot afford the high cost (in time and money) of a Master’s Degree in order to practice legally.  New York is one of only 11 remaining states in the country that has this high bar to entry for midwifery, which itself has better outcomes and precents neonatal deaths that result from giving birth alone without a birth attendant.  This one benefit of CPM’s, who are often the only midwives that want to serve rural communities where most residents cannot afford thousands of dollars for maternity care and where they may not have health insurance or a hospital nearby.  This is particularly the case for Mennonite women in Upstate New York, who are often uninsured and cannot afford the cost of maternity care for up to fourteen childbirth experiences, each costing upwards of $10,000, for these small rural farmers.  

Queens, NY – NYC Her Future, an office within the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ), in partnership with the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and the New York City Department of Correction (DOC)  announced the launch of the Motherhood Initiative on Rikers Island, a trauma-informed, family-centered pilot program designed to support incarcerated mothers, stepmothers, and birthing individuals.

Separation from children and disrupted family systems intensify mental health needs and destabilize already vulnerable households. Incarceration often deepens trauma, anxiety, and depression, while weakening parent–child bonds and interrupting access to housing, employment, and healthcare that directly increase the likelihood of recidivism and long-term family instability.

The Motherhood Initiative on Rikers Island directly responds to these systemic gaps by prioritizing mental health, strengthening family connection, and coordinating reentry supports. At its core, the initiative recognizes family reunification as a cornerstone of long-term stability and community wellbeing. Services are delivered through a layered, wraparound model designed to meet mothers where they are while preparing them for what comes next.

“When a mother is incarcerated, her children feel it, her family feels it and her community feels it,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Too many women leave Rikers with no stable housing, no reliable income and no support from a city that has already moved on. The Motherhood Initiative is about changing that reality—keeping families together and giving women a real pathway home.”

“The evidence is clear that when mothers have access to coordinated support—housing, employment, family connection—outcomes improve for everyone in that household,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “This initiative reflects what economic justice requires in practice: meeting people at the point of need and building the conditions for long-term stability.”

Centering Family, Dignity, and Continuity of Care 

The Motherhood Initiative centers family reunification and sustained connection during incarceration as essential to maternal wellbeing, child development, and long-term stability. Operating at the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island, this pilot is designed to help mothers reconnect with themselves, strengthen bonds with their children, build community with other mothers, and access critical resources both inside and outside of Rikers. The goal is to strengthen the economic, emotional, and social futures of mothers and their children alike.

The initiative supports 75 participants from incarceration through reentry, strengthening connection to self, children, and community while building concrete pathways toward stability.

Services are delivered through comprehensive case management and resource coordination, group mental health counseling, individual counseling sessions, peer support, family events and activities, and weekly skill-building workshops. With an established legal service partner experienced in NYC Children case navigation, this pilot is intentionally designed to promote family reunification, reduce systemic barriers, and support mothers, children, and caregivers as they navigate this chapter and prepare for long-term stability.

Programming is delivered by Rising Ground, a leading 195-year-old nonprofit human services organization, currently operating more than 100 programs at 143 sites across all five New York City boroughs and Westchester County.

“Too often, incarcerated mothers are defined only by the circumstances that brought them into the system, rather than by their potential. The Motherhood Initiative shows what is possible when agencies work together to center care, stability, and support in our approach to reentry,” said NYC Chief Equity Officer and NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice Commissioner Afua Atta-Mensah. “This pilot program recognizes that we must address the systemic barriers that disproportionately impact women, particularly Black and Brown mothers, as they navigate incarceration, reunification, and economic insecurity. Through trauma-informed counseling, peer support, legal services, and family-centered programming, the initiative is designed to strengthen bonds between mothers and their children while creating pathways toward long-term stability and opportunity. We are investing not only in mothers, but in the holistic wellbeing of families and communities across New York City.”

“Every mother deserves the opportunity to heal, reconnect with her children and build a future rooted in dignity and stability,” said NYC Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Sandra Escamilla-Davies. “Through DYCD’s support of the Motherhood Initiative, we are investing in stronger families, healthier communities and real pathways forward for mothers returning home.

“People who reside on Rikers Island are connected to loved ones in the community who experience the pain of separation every day and no one feels that pain more deeply than children,” said New York City Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards. “This program gives families the tools and support they need to remain connected and strengthen their relationships during difficult periods apart. When people return to the community, the individuals who care about them should still be a meaningful part of their lives. Our role, in government, is to help preserve those connections.”

“When we speak about communities, it is essential that we recognize, honor, and respect the families and relationships at their core,” said NYC Her Future Founding Executive Director Nathifa Forde. “When family units are disrupted, the relational fabric that sustains community is weakened. The Motherhood Initiative at Rikers is designed to restore what incarceration often fractures: relationships, community connection, identity, and hope. This initiative provides structured, trauma-informed support to mothers and parental figures, honoring their humanity while aiming to preserve the bonds between them and their children. A mother’s mental health is the foundation of her ability to reconnect, rebuild, and reunify with her family. This initiative reflects the values and practices of NYC Her Future, where we listen to people, collaborate with agency partners, and pilot innovative programs that can evolve into promising practices capable of transforming systems and strengthening communities.”

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“Rising Ground is honored be part of this impactful project, supporting the connection between incarcerated mothers and their children despite their physical separation,” said Rising Ground CEO Alan Mucatel. “The feedback our team has received from participants is that the combined approach of group workshops and individual therapy makes them feel heard, supported, and eager to apply the parenting skills they are learning. When mothers are supported, children are strengthened. When families are strengthened, communities are safer.” 

This program will operate alongside other parental support services at the Rose M. Singer Center, including doula services, a nursery and family visits to the local museums on days when these resources are closed to the public.

“Supporting mothers at Rikers means recognizing their strength, their histories, and their right to heal in community. When mothers are met with trauma-informed mental health care and peer support from those with lived experience, it creates space for stability, connection, and hope,” said NYC Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health Executive Director Eva Wong. “The Motherhood Initiative at Rikers affirms that maternal mental health and family bonds are essential to healthy child development and successful reentry. OCMH is proud to support this critical investment in culturally responsive, community rooted care for families impacted by incarceration.”

“The Motherhood Initiative is about strengthening families and creating safer, healthier communities through care, support, and opportunity,” said New York City Council Member Althea Stevens, Chair of the Committee on Children & Youth. “By centering mental health, family reunification, and community-based solutions, we are helping mothers rebuild stability for themselves and their children. Every mother deserves dignity, support, and the chance to return home with the tools needed to thrive.”

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About NYC Her Future 

Launched in March 2024, as an office within the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice, to address the disparities that young women of color face across NYC in education, employment, justice, and health, and provide them with the tools to be successful by their own definition. By developing and championing policies, programs, and partnerships that holistically support the success of young women of color throughout NYC, NYC Her Future is dedicated to fostering positive change and creating a brighter future for girls and women. Learn more about how NYC Her Future is providing young women and girls of color with the tools to be successful by their own definition at www.NYC.Gov/HerFuture.

About the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development 

The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) invests in a network of community-based organizations and programs that alleviate the effects of poverty and create opportunities for New Yorkers to thrive. DYCD supports youth, families, and communities across the five boroughs through high-quality programs and services, including afterschool and workforce development programs, community centers, family and immigrant services, literacy initiatives, neighborhood development and support for runaway and homeless youth. Guided by a commitment to equity and inclusion, DYCD works to address systemic inequities and build stronger, safer and more connected communities for all New Yorkers.

About the New York City Department of Correction 

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment while providing individuals in our care with a path to successfully re-enter their communities.

Banner Image: Motherhood. Image Credit – Liana Mikah