Wayne State community event welcomes families impacted by incarceration

Families of Future Warriors, a first-of-its-kind community event at Wayne State University, invites children with a parent who is incarcerated to campus for a day of fun and exploration.

On Saturday, April 23, families will attend planetarium shows, science demonstrations, tour campus and enjoy lunch.

"Incarceration impacts millions of children across the country including those in metro Detroit," said Stephanie Hartwell, Dean of Wayne State's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. "Oftentimes these children do not have access to family events. As Detroit's public research university, it is our mandate to share our resources and welcome all. Families of Future Warriors will feature Wayne State University exhibits while also connecting like-minded families for a day of fun and exploration."

Attendees will also hear from Darryl Woods, an author and motivational speaker whose father was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life in prison when Woods was just a year old. Inspired by his father's perseverance, he worked to overcome inner conflict and mindset barriers. He went on to author Dream On: The Young Adults Guide to Finding, Developing and Living a Dream Life Now.

Families of Future Warriors takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Buses will be available from Detroit's Downtown Boxing Gym as well as Clark Park in Southwest Detroit.

The event is free and open to any family impacted by incarceration. Interested families can RSVP by April 15 at go.wayne.edu/April23.

Families of Future Warriors was supported, in part, by funding provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), under award #80NSSC20M0124, Michigan Space Grant Consortium.