Empowering Children to Soar Beyond Adversity
Tinkerbell’s Kids empowers children to soar beyond adversity. Our mission is to assist the children of incarcerated parents by improving their economic, educational, and personal stability while empowering these children to make wise choices and contribute positively to society.
Consider making a donation today to help us continue this vital work and bring hope to more children in need.
Imagine a world where a child is torn from the arms of their parents.
Since 1996, we have worked with over 1,100 children in Illinois, South Carolina & Florida whose parent(s) are or were incarcerated. Many have kept in touch. Out of the 1,100 children, over 350 have been engaged for five years or longer in our Five Circles of Support Program. Therefore, we have been able to follow their successful journeys to graduating high school, choosing higher education and/or careers as well as creating families of their own. Our Team includes an amazing roster of Board Members, Staff, Volunteers, and Community Partners who support our work to continue.
Driven by Compassion, Guided by Purpose
Paulette Pfeiffer, affectionately known as Tinkerbell, a nickname given by friends and lovingly embraced by children. As a Holocaust survivor, her life has been shaped by resilience and a deep commitment to justice and advocacy. Through her unwavering commitment, Tinkerbell along with a dedicated staff and Board of Directors, have helped shape brighter futures, empowering children to make wise choices and become positive contributors to society. Tinkerbell continues to be a spokesperson and advocate on behalf of this very specific and vulnerable population of children. She has appeared in televised speaking engagements on Telemundo, TV Azteca, Channel 4 News and lectures at North American Association for Wardens and Superintendents, Florida International University (FIU) and the University of Miami (UM) and many more.
Serving children of incarcerated parents has been my personal passion for over thirty – five years! It has been during this time that I have been able to study this very sensitive, complex and greatly underserved population of children and as a result, have developed a very unique program of creative learning opportunities and services. I am grateful to be aided in this endeavor by a dedicated staff and board, our donors, and volunteers. As I look forward to increasing opportunities to educate through advocacy on both a state wide, national and international level; I feel enthusiastic, as though I am just getting started. As the rate of incarcerated men and women rises in South Florida and throughout the United States, consequently, more of our youth will potentially be thrown into the intergenerational cycle of incarceration and poverty.
The Struggle of Children Affected by Parental Incarceration
There are
2.7 million children
of incarcerated parents in the U.S.
15,000 of them are in the Miami Dade County alone.
70% of Children of justice-impacted parents will come in contact with our nation’s prison system.
Incarcerated Parents Impact on Children
Incarcerated parents impact their children emotionally, leading to anxiety, stigma, and behavioral issues. These children often face academic struggles and are more likely to enter the justice system themselves. The absence of a parent disrupts family stability and limits future opportunities.
Give & Change Lives
In advance, we appreciate any support that you can give. Your gift will support us to focus on the FUN of exposure to creative learning experiences, mental health best practices, social engagements, parent unification, independence skill-building, mentorship and caregiver training. Join us to become a part of all the ways we wrap our arms around Tinkerbell’s Kids!
The Holistic Approach
Our 5 Circles of Support is the proprietary framework of our Founder, Paulette Pfiffer. Each of the 5 Circles of Support play a significant role in our cause to care for, mentor, prepare, support, and provide resources to the children of Tinkerbell’s Kids, and their caregivers respectively. This approach is a method to holistically address the needs of our children and activate resources around them to aid in building their personal character and self-confidence. Your donations, volunteerism, and support give our children the chance to thrive and see change in their own lives, regardless of the difficulties of their circumstances.
Voices of Hope: Stories from Our Kids & Families