Our Founder
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SKIP, Inc. Community Resource Services was founded by Mrs. Gloria Jean Canty-Williams in 1976 and incorporated in 1980 in the state of Florida. Mrs. Williams conceived the idea for SKIP as she assisted in a research study conducted by the Hillsborough County Study Commission for Children of Tampa, Florida for The International Year of the Child in 1976. While assisting in this study, Mrs. Williams found that there were no services provided to children of prisoners anywhere in the nation. Thus, began her journey over 35 years ago to help children across America.
On April 9, 1997, the founder established SKIP, Inc. National Headquarters in the state of Alabama and now serves as its Executive Director. In 2003, SKIP chapters were established in Georgia, Michigan, and Texas. Mrs. Williams has spent countless hours researching information and implementing programs for children of inmates who are in at-risk situations. She hopes that she and the SKIP organization will make a remarkable difference in the lives of children everywhere. Today, she is known as Mrs. Williams and resides in the Montgomery, Alabama area with her husband Norman Williams.
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Our Mission
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Our mission is to provide support services to children of incarcerated parents and their families and to increase public awareness of the underlying problems of these children as victims through education, advocacy and research.
The purpose of SKIP programs is to help children (“Skippers”) of incarcerated parents and their families better cope with separation due to incarceration; to maintain family ties, and to break the cycle of incarceration by:
- Informing the community at large of the underlying problems of children with incarcerated parents and the necessity of community support.
- Increasing family awareness of community services and support that are available to them.
SKIP programs help “Skippers” to become self-reliant and responsible adults by giving them hope and options for the future; thus, enabling them to become productive citizens.
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Key Initiatives
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Public Awareness
SKIP, Inc. communicates relevant facts for program improvements found through its research, as well as proposed public policy and legislation affecting children of incarcerated parents using its public awareness campaigns. Helping people to know and understand what is at stake and what we can do about it is essential to creating change and moving this effort forward.
Advocacy
Various representatives of SKIP, Inc. speak on behalf of children of prisoners at public and private events to ensure that state policies are child- and family-friendly. In the future, these children will be our workforce, consumers, and community leaders. We must protect these valuable assets and create an environment in which they may develop their character, their minds and their spirits to become self-reliant and sustainable adults.
Collaboration
SKIP, Inc. works with other child advocates, non-profit organizations, state agencies, small businesses and corporations to strengthen funding efforts on behalf of children of incarcerated parents. By working collaboratively, we not only unify our resources and efforts, but also increase our outreach exponentially.
Research
SKIP, Inc.’s research provides a roadmap for school districts and communities to improve the conditions of at-risk children so that we can build a better future together. Information is gathered throughout program activities to reinforce our model of continuous process improvement and shared with our Partners as business intelligence. |
Accomplishments
from 1976 to Present
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Recognition and Awards
Tampa Bay Urban League Award, A Resolution from the City of Pontiac, MI., Who’s Who in American Education from the National Reference Institute, An Exemplary Volunteer Service to the Community Award from the Volunteer and Information Center and The Junior League of Montgomery, The JC Penny Golden Rule Award, The Metropolitan United Methodist Church, The Montgomery YMCA Outstanding Person of the Year, and The Montgomery Sunrise Rotary Club.
News Articles
Tampa Tribune, Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery County Gazette, Montgomery Times, Montgomery-Tuskegee Times, and Westside Weekly of Montgomery.
Magazines
Tampa Bay Parent Magazine, African American Parent Magazine, Montgomery Parent Magazine, and American Prospect Magazine.
Newsletters
Metropolitan United Methodist Church, AL/W. FL Conference United Methodist Women,St. Mark United Methodist Church, The Messenger of the Montgomery/Prattville District United Methodist Women, Dalraider United Methodist Church, The Snowdoun United Methodist Church, First Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and The Voices for Alabama’s Children.
Grants Awarded
State of Alabama Department of Education, City of Montgomery Block Grant, Central Alabama Community Foundation, Kalliopeia Foundation, Wal-Mart, Volunteers of America, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Jack & Jill Inc., Sprint Foundation, Alabama Children’s Trust Fund, and IBM Foundation.
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