JUST Of DuPage Brightens Holidays For Inmates' Children

WHEATON, IL — Employees and volunteers of JUST of DuPage decided to forgo their annual Secret Santa gift exchange this year to provide gifts for the children of DuPage County Jail inmates. The initiative was part of the DuPage County Sheriff's Office's Storybook Program, which allows inmates to record parts of storybooks for their children.

In total, JUST of DuPage shopped for and wrapped gifts for 51 children who are enrolled in the program.

“A lot of people don’t realize that incarceration leaves a family behind and those people aren’t suspects. They’re victims. They’re dealing with the holidays and everything else going on the in world with a parent incarcerated,” said Sheriff James Mendrick. “That’s got to be a tough thing to live with at home. I think this is going to make a big impact where it’s really needed.”

JUST of DuPage is a non-profit organization that works to aid DuPage County inmates and their families.