SHINE for Kids commences services at Parklea
July 2008
SHINE for Kids commenced services at Parklea Correctional Complex, with the Prison Invisits Program providing much-needed child activity sessions in the prisons' visiting areas.
Child and Family Centre Cessnock officially opened
7 March 2008
After commencing the Prison Invisits Program at Cessnock in February, the keys to the new Child and Family Centre at Cessnock were officially handed over by the Department of Corrective Services (DCS) to SHINE for Kids.
Child and Family Centre Wellington officially opened
23 April 2008
22 December 2007 saw the first children – a total of eight – come through the doors of the new Child and Family Centre. Today the Hon. John Hatzistergos MLC, Attorney General and Minister for Justice, officially opened the premises.
 'Putting Your Child First'
2007
When a family member is in prison,
children and their carers often feel very alone as they struggle to face a variety of
difficulties. 'Putting Your Child First' is a comprehensive 84-page survival guide offering insights to help guide and inform carers, workers and the wider community about the different issues children and young people can face on a daily basis. It provides suggestions and ideas to help carers give their families the best opportunity for a
positive future.
Read more about this book, and download the PDF »
 Two 2007 awards to SHINE
Contribution to Excellence in Corrections award
SHINE for Kids was awarded for our Contribution to Excellence in Corrections by the then NSW Department of Corrective Services.
SHINE was a joint winner with the Chaplaincy Service.
 NAB Volunteer Award – Large Organisation category, NSW State Winner
We were also the NSW State Winner in the 2007 NAB Volunteer Award in the Large Organisation category in recognition of
outstanding achievement in demonstrating best practice volunteering.
We received a certificate and prizemoney of $10,000.
SHINE for Kids commences services in Wellington
7 October 2007
We commence services at Wellington Correctional Centre with a Prison Invisits Program.
 'Wurin yan wurinwan
binga murra warra – To love, to support,
to stand one’s ground'
2006
Two books were developed to
provide information and resources to
Aboriginal women who have a family
member in prison. Funded by the
New South Wales Office for Women
and the Premier’s Department, both
were researched and designed by
Nikki Read from our Bathurst office.
The first, for the women and their
children, grew out of stories and
comments provided by Aboriginal
women who have been through a
similar experience.
The second provides a resource for
workers and volunteers who provide
support.
A brand new website for SHINE
30 May 2006
This website, launched
at the Silverwater Child and Family Centre
on 30th May 2006, covers
the organisation’s history
and vision, and the services we provide to children
of prisoners. As well as
comprehensive sections on volunteering for SHINE
for Kids, making donations and information on our locations including Child and Family Centres, it also provides
downloadable PDFs of our
various print publications.
 Two awards for SHINE for Kids
2006
NSW Department of Community Services Children’s Week Awards
These awards promote the talents, skills and
achievements of children and young people in NSW.
SHINE for Kids received the Community for Children
Award which recognises the efforts of volunteers who
have made an outstanding contribution to children
 The award acknowledged the
commitment of the SHINE for Kids volunteer program
to child-safe best practice for working with vulnerable
children and young people. It was presented by the
Minister for Community Services and Youth, Reba Meagher at a special ceremony
at Taronga Zoo on 22nd October.
National NAB Volunteer Award
Held in association with Volunteering Australia, the NAB
Volunteer Awards recognise “outstanding achievement in
demonstrating best practice volunteering”.
Following our NSW State award in 2003, this year we outshone 1,200 other community groups to receive both the State and National awards in our category of Health and Wellbeing and a donation of $10,000.
SHINE for Kids Child and Family Centre Windsor
13 August 2005
The Governor of NSW, Marie Bashir AC, opened our Child and Family Centre on the John Morony Correctional Complex in Windsor.
Commissioner Ron Woodham of the Department of Corrective Services was instrumental in its establishment.
At the same event, the newly appointed Justice Minister, Hon. Tony Kelly launched the Corrective Service Industry’s Children’s Activity Packs.
A small step towards alleviating boredom, frustration and anger, the Packs are now available to all children who visit a correctional centre anywhere in the State.
Our brochures reach out in four languages
To feature the name change to SHINE for Kids, our brochure was reprinted not only in English but also in Spanish, Arabic and Vietnamese.
Getting to be a father
2004
Toddler Groups for kids aged from 0 to 5 years started at Silverwater Men’s
Correctional Centre. These playgroups were initiated in an effort to familiarise the
child with the parent before his release, consequently making the transition for the
child and parent easier.
 We decide to change our name
November 2004
Some parents and carers felt that 'Children of Prisoners Support Group' was an inappropriate name.
Not all carers
tell their children that their parent is in prison; many children don’t want their peers to know. And, while the acronym COPS has unfortunate connotations, COPSG is meaningless and unpronounceable.
There was also concern about the logo – a child with a ball and chain. Whilst it carried a powerful message about the impact of incarceration on children, some felt that it also communicated a sense of hopelessness and despair. We looked for a name that was uplifting, positive and child-friendly and decided on SHINE for Kids which, with its sunny logo, was officially launched at our 2004
Annual General Meeting.
 NSW Premier’s Public
Sector Award
2004
SHINE for Kids shared the 2004 silver award for its category with the Department of Corrective Services.
NAB Volunteer Awards – NSW State winner
 2003
The NAB Volunteer Awards recognise organisations which create a positive environment for their volunteers.
SHINE for Kids received the NSW State award.
Video Visits program launched
2003
Video Visits began linking families with their imprisoned parent through state-of-the-art video conferencing technology. Originally, Video Visits were offered at only three Correctional Centres: Cessnock, Bathurst and Mulawa. In January 2007 the service would expand to all Correctional
Centres across the State.
 A sea of children
2003
At this year’s SHINE for Kids AGM, we initiated a project which had more impact
than we’d planned. Dozens of paper dolls decorated by children of prisoners greeted
attendees of the meeting as they walked to our Silverwater offices. That evening, many of
the ‘kids’ disappeared – only to be discovered in Correctional Centre offices all over the State – being conversation pieces!
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