“I can see it helping families build stronger connections.” – SHINE for Kids team. 💛 Hundreds of poems are now available on tablets for mums and dads in custody to read to their children during phone and video calls - and it's been hugely popular! Read the full story: zurl.co/oS4Ub

Poetry helps parents in custody stay connected with their children - Shine for Kids

A simple idea is helping parents at Serco operated Clarence Correctional Centre create meaningful moments with their children. Hundreds of poems are now

zurl.co

Our Belonging to Family team and wonderful volunteer Elders made the trip to Bathurst last week to meet with men and women in the centre, listen, share and inspire hope. #SHINEforKids

Our Cairns team had the privilege of meeting with some of the team from @TheIndigenousMarathonFoundation ! We look forward to building meaningful connections and exploring ways we can work together to support young people and communities.

“The kids enjoyed every minute!” 💛 Our Child & Parent Days are a highlight of the school holidays, and this latest one did not disappoint! Games, crafts, lots of long chats and hugs - every minute was cherished by the families. Learn more zurl.co/Hv7au

Some of our brilliant team recently attended the National Justice Forum in Brisbane. The team reflected that, "We left the Forum feeling inspired, challenged and motivated. What stayed with us most was that every person we heard from was, in their own way, changing lives."

📢 Storytime is now available at Junee! Children can now receive a voice recording of their dad reading a story to them, along with the book, to help them stay connected💜

Storytime starts at Junee! - Shine for Kids

The first packages have already reached 15 children, with four dads recording stories especially for them.

shineforkids.org.au

Our first ‘Community Chocolate Bingo’ event was a hit! 🍫 The games were heaps of fun and the day was filled with laughs, prizes and smiles, with one excited family even winning a trip to the zoo! Read more: zurl.co/DkKPD

If you haven't had the chance to read this About Time piece about our #Storytime program helping children stay connected with their dad, please do! We are so pleased to see the big impact this program is making being shared. Thank you to the mums who contributed. Read here: zurl.co/KNrO2

Huge thank you to Wagga RSL Club and the Wagga Wagga community for supporting our programs for kids with a parent in custody. 💜 💜 💜 Our centre in Junee re-opened this year and families have been very grateful to have support again when visiting a loved one.

For mum in custody Katy* and her twin daughters, their first Playgroup was deeply emotional and a huge first step in their journey to reuniting as a family. zurl.co/IN8Cn

Emotional first visit for mum and her newborn twins - Shine for Kids

For mum Katy* and her twin baby daughters, their first visit during Playgroup was deeply emotional, and an important first step in her journey to being the

zurl.co

An oldie but a goodie! It's Book Week and if you're after some reading with little ones to help inspire and nurture, here are our team's picks: shineforkids.org.au/allnews/book...

The Team Picks for Best Stories to Support Kids

To celebrate Book Week, our team have brought together their favourite stories to share with the children and families we support and pick the best stories.

shineforkids.org.au

It's been a wonderful few months celebrating NAIDOC! "The team at SHINE for Kids, together with Elders from Dunghutti, Wiradjuri, Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung Nations, look forward to this special event each year." - Barb Cohen, Manager

Sometimes being a #Rise mentor means a quick dash to the shops! 💨 This mentor made the trip to get swimming gear her student needed so that she could take part in her school's swimming program. It seems like a small thing, but it's moments like this that make sure kids don't miss out. 💛

Huge thank you to @Halekulani Bowling Club for supporting our vital programs for kids! 💛 💛 💛 Our team work closely with kids who have a mum or dad in custody, keeping them motivated, engaged at school, and connected with family and community. #ChildrenofPrisoners #ThankYou

A little sneak peek at our recent interactive Aboriginal art sessions with families in Townsville! 🎨💛 It was wonderful to see members of our community come together to create, connect and learn more about Aboriginal culture and connection to Country. We’re excited to share more soon.

Meet our wonderful team! Introducing Arun. ☀️

Staying connected with a teenager isn't always easy, but for mums and dads in custody, it's especially challenging. When Jessica recorded a poem for her teen son through our Storytime program, she knew a standard reading wouldn't cut it. So, she thought outside the box ...

Staying connected with a teenager isn't always easy, but for mums and dads in custody, it's especially challenging. When Jessica recorded a poem for her teen son through our Storytime program, she knew a standard reading wouldn't cut it. So, she thought outside the box. zurl.co/rwQMq

Sense of humour helping mum connect with her teen son through Storytime

“The experience allowed her to create a meaningful and memorable message that reflected both her love and her sense of humour,” said our team.

zurl.co

"One mum said she sometimes struggled to think of things they could do together ... I reassured her that she would get lots of ideas from our playgroup, as well as from the ‘Things to Do at Home’ resource she will now receive each week." 💜 💜 💜 Read the story: zurl.co/HgGzS

The NAIDOC Week celebrations continue! 🌞 This #Rise mentor joined her current and former students at a local primary school for a big day of activities, song and dance, and a huge spread of bush tucker! #naidoc2026

Our team joined what felt like "the whole city" for Townsville's #NAIDOC Week March! One of our team shared that the "feeling of connecting made my heart run over, like we were a part of something bigger than us." 💛 Read more: zurl.co/3ERaX

Meet our wonderful team! ☀️ Introducing Jana, our data wiz!

When Marie entered custody pregnant with her third child, she was determined to reunite her family. Learn more about SHINE for Kids www.shineforkids.org.au 💜 #SHINEforKids #KeepingFamiliesConnected

Visitors to our Cairns office are in for a real treat! ✨ Now on display is a collection of wood burning prints depicting influential Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander figures from history. Our team hopes they will inspire the young people who visit and start conversations. zurl.co/ir6Yi

Learning superstar! ⭐ When her Rise mentor asked Sally* (Year 4) if there was anything else she'd like to focus on in their sessions, she said help practising her reading and sight words. Together, they have set a goal: for Sally to read aloud with confidence in class. www.shineforkids.org.au

“Thank you for making this program happen. I really like being able to connect with my children.” 💜 Dads in custody made thoughtful gifts for their children at this Arts & Crafts Day. Please read more about this day, and all of our good news on our website www.shineforkids.org.au 💛

"Can we do this every day?" That's what a kid asked his mentor at this super fun holiday activity day! They are a reward for hard work at school and a chance for kids to meet other kids who 'get it'. Rise mentors support children to stay motivated and engaged at school. www.shineforkids.org.au

💜 “Visits like this are what children need.” Our first-ever Family Fun Day in Kempsey was a huge success, filled with joy and laughter! By the end of the day, every family was asking the same question: When is the next one? Learn more: www.shineforkids.org.au 💜 #SHINEforKids

📢 Our Practice Manager Moana Wati shares the challenges, but also immense rewards, of supporting young people transitioning out of custody in this story by Nine.com.au. www.nine.com.au/australia-ne...

Youth crime QLD: Can Staying on Track program fix revolving door of youth detention | Nine.com.au

Nine in ten young people released from detention in Queensland reoffend within a year.

nine.com.au

This June, show your support for children with a mum or dad in custody and their families by donating to our #EOFY appeal. Every bit counts and helps us provide much needed story books, activities, school supplies, resources, mentoring, and so much more. 💛 eofy-appeal.shineforkids.org.au