DuPage group ensures inmates' children not forgotten during holidays

Not everyone can be home for the holidays, as the classic song suggests, but a DuPage County organization is attempting to help fill that void for some area children.

JUST of DuPage, a nonprofit organization that provides clergy service and life-skills training programs to DuPage County jail inmates, has partnered with several other organizations to host a holiday party Saturday afternoon for more than 730 children of inmates and their guardians.

"We know we need to do a little more than the social services part of what we do and we need to involve the family unit in that process," Executive Director Deachtra Nurse said. "We were brainstorming exactly how we could do that, beginning this Christmas season, when God put it in my heart that we need to do this for these children."

The party, which will feature donated gifts for every child, a home-cooked meal, a living nativity scene, on-site dental checkups and numerous other goods and services, runs from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Wheaton Christian Center, 610 E. North Ave., Carol Stream.

Nurse said the church is large enough to hold the gathering and also avoids what could have been a rather depressing party.

"First we thought it made sense to have the party at the jail where we have other programs," Nurse said. "But what kid wants to go to jail for a Christmas party? Also, some of the children don't even know their parents are incarcerated, so we had that obstacle."

Nurse said the organization checked with all inmates who have children and sought permission to contact the guardians and invite them to the party.

"This was the first year we've organized this kind of party, so the response we've gotten from inmates, which led to us inviting 738 people, has been overwhelming, in a good way," Nurse said. "Several inmates were moved to tears that we were thinking about them and their families during this time."

While everything from the dinner to toys and services has been donated, Nurse said the organization is still taking donations and signing up volunteers. To help or donate, call (630) 407-2201.

JUST was formed by the Diocese of Joliet 25 years ago and offers inmates programs in education, addiction recovery and spirituality.