Our mission is to help incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children successfully rejoin the community, reunify with their families, and build healthy, independent, and secure lives.
Hour Children’s name acknowledges the key hours that impact the life of a child with an incarcerated mother – the hour of her arrest, the hour of their visit, and the hour of their reunification.
In 1986, Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, CSJ, helped develop a home in Long Island City, Queens for children whose mothers were incarcerated. Sister Tesa got to know the mothers when she brought their children to visit, and quickly realized that the women would need additional support if they were to successfully reunite with their children after their release. Incorporated in 1992, Hour Children has since become a leading provider of prison- and community-based family services to support women and children as they reunite, stabilize, and transform their lives.
Our values guide everything we do
- Every person has the capacity for change.
- All human beings are worthy of dignity and respect.
- We believe diversity makes us stronger and is critical for our growth.
- One size does not fit all. We provide personalized services tailored to each individual we serve.
- We foster trust with our community through accountability and responsibility.
- Our commitment starts inside the prison system, providing hope, structure, and support.
Our approach is framed by two core beliefs – Change Takes Time and Love Makes the Difference. We acknowledge that lasting change can be a slow and gradual process. For this reason, all services remain open to families for as long as they are needed.
Meet Our Founder
SISTER TERESA FITZGERALD, CSJ, FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMERITUS
In 1986, Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, CSJ, helped develop a home in Long Island City, Queens for children whose mothers were incarcerated. Hour Children was born from the realization that the mothers she was visiting would need additional support if they were to successfully reunite with their children after their release. In 1992, Hour Children was incorporated and is now the leading provider of prison- and community-based family services for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children.
Sister Tesa received her Bachelors in Education from Brentwood College and Masters in Education from Queens College. Sr. Tesa is the recipient of many awards and honors for her work with families involved in the criminal justice system. In 2015, she was awarded the Cross Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice. She has been named a TIAA Difference Maker (2018), winner of the Renewal Award from the Atlantic (2017) and the Opus Prize (2014); a White House Champion of Change (2013); a CNN Hero (2012); and one of the Top “100” Irish Americans, by Irish American Magazine.
Prior to starting Hour Children, Sister Tesa worked in the Office of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Brooklyn, and served as a school principal and teacher at various Catholic elementary schools in Queens and Brooklyn.
Sister Tesa has retired from her position as Executive Director as of July 1, 2021 to take on the position of president of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood, New York.
Our team is driven by love and compassion
Your support makes all the difference