Bringing Families Together: Annual Movie Night at MCI-Norfolk
At Parents Helping Parents (PHP), we believe in the power of connection—especially for parents and caregivers navigating challenging circumstances. That belief was on full display at this year’s Annual Family Movie Night at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution (MCI) in Norfolk, a special event that creates space for families to come together in a meaningful and relaxed way.
PHP Volunteers Linda Perry and Ron Gonsalves, both of whom lead weekly support groups inside MCI-Norfolk with PHP Executive Director Sarah Brinley.
Now in its fifth year, the event was facilitated by PHP volunteers Linda Perry and Ron Gonsalves, both of whom lead weekly support groups inside MCI-Norfolk. PHP Executive Director Sarah Brinley also attended the event to show support and celebrate the volunteers’ incredible work.
This year, 32 incarcerated individuals and their families participated in the event, which offers a rare opportunity for connection beyond the formal structure of traditional prison visits. Any child or young family member for whom the inmate serves as a caretaker—whether a child, grandchild, niece, or nephew—was invited to attend.
Families shared a meal—food prepared by the inmates themselves—and then settled in for a family-friendly movie screening, enjoying a few hours of quality time together. In a setting where connection can often feel limited, this event offered laughter, conversation, and bonding moments that families will carry with them long after the credits rolled.
We are incredibly grateful to Linda and Ron for their continued dedication and to everyone who made the night possible. Events like this remind us that even in the most difficult circumstances, compassion and community can create moments of joy.
Want to learn more about our work in correctional facilities?
PHP’s prison and jail programs offer weekly support groups and family-centered programming for incarcerated parents and caregivers across Massachusetts.
