Houston, Texas – November 5, 2018 – A former inmate and Texas prison gang member, who now pastors a Spanish church in Bellaire, is determined to give hope to hundreds of children, this Christmas, whose parents are incarcerated. Rick Vasquez is collecting gifts and donations (to purchase gifts) for more than 1,300 children of prison inmates in Texas, at Texas Evangelist’s Angel Walk at Evelyn’s Park, 4400 Bellaire Blvd. in Bellaire on Saturday, November 17, 2018, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m..
Rick Vasquez, pastor of Iglesia Crosspoint Bellaire and founder of Texas Evangelist Ministry, knows what it’s like to be separated from his child at Christmas. But, Rick also knows what it’s like to know that his daughter is being taken care of at Christmas.
“When I was in prison, my daughter was an Angel Tree recipient. For twelve years, she received a Christmas present on my behalf, with a card that read, “Merry Christmas. Love, Dad”. As a prisoner, that made a difference in my life. My daughter was an innocent victim of my choices. The fact that somebody took the time to invest in my daughter when I couldn’t, made a huge impact on my life and my daughter’s life,” said Vasquez.
According to a recent study, “Shared Sentence”, by the philanthropy group Annie E. Casey Foundation, Texas children who have incarcerated parents suffer from trauma and emotional instability at the same magnitude as abuse and domestic violence. In fact, children of incarcerated parents are seven times more likely to follow in the same footsteps as their parents and becoming imprisoned at some point in their lives. Sadly, these at-risk children are largely ignored before they get in trouble.
“Children of inmates are a neglected part of society because of the lack of awareness. They need intervention and need to know they are valued and not forgotten. Events like Angel Walk will help to ensure that every child, who has a mom or dad in prison, will receive a present this Christmas from their parent. We don’t want any child left out.”
Texas Evangelist Ministry is a 501 ©3 non-profit organization that seeks to make a difference in the lives of children and families across the state of Texas by doing good and giving hope. In partnership with Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program, all funds collected at the Angel Walk will be used for Texas Evangelist’s Angel Tree year-round program, which connects parents in prison with their children through the delivery of Christmas gifts, and collaborates with churches to support families with loved ones behind bars and people affected by crime.
To schedule an interview with Rick Vasquez, contact Alicia Alaniz at 832-418-0494
Media ContactCompany Name: Angel TreeContact Person: Alicia AlanizEmail: Send EmailPhone: 832.418.0494Country: United StatesWebsite: texasevangelist.org/angel-tree.html
