Michigan prisoners have raised more than $53,000 to help buy children school uniforms and supplies. The program, Dress for Success, is part of the Pathways to Potential project of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Holly Kramer, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Corrections, says prisoners donated from their own personal funds because they can relate to the challenges faced by poor kids. Lack of uniforms and supplies can be obstacles to attending and being successful at school.
"They could relate to feeling anxious about going back to school because they didn't have uniforms or clothes that they needed or school supplies they needed to get back to class," Kramer said.
Some prisoners included encouraging notes with their donations.
"You have something that others do not have. You have us that learned through our experiences and now we are willing to invest in you," wrote one prisoner.
Kramer says Pathways to Potential is one of many programs for charitable giving and service supported by Michigan prison inmates.
