KC Freedom Project helps children with incarcerated parents

Children with incarcerated parents are getting a helping hand Friday.It’s all thanks to the Kansas City Freedom Project. The program is one many in KC have come to know through Keith Carnes. “It’s had its ups and downs,” Carnes told KMBC 9 Friday. The last eight months have been hard for the 52-year-old. He was released from prison in April. “Good and bad, but even the bad is good,” Carnes said. Carnes was wrongfully convicted of a 2003 shooting death in Kansas City. After nearly 18 years behind bars, he was freed.“It’s not an easy task to get over. It’s not an overnight thing, takes therapy. It takes people in your corner,” Carnes said.On Friday, Carnes and the KC Freedom Project are hosting a Community event for Caretakers of Children with Incarcerated Parents. “When you have a parent that’s incarcerated, the caretakers responsible for the children, they’re responsible for everything, finances, you know, school clothes,” Organizer Latahra Smith said. Friday’s donations will help 25 families with household items like cleaning supplies, diapers and food.”I have a family of five, so we need a lot of stuff a lot of the time, so I really appreciate it,” One donation recipient who gave the name Shanae said. The group says events like this one with the National Organization of Exonerees are to remind people of what they say are thousands of wrongfully convicted people still behind bars in this country.”This community giveaway is really special to me,” Carnes said.The event was about thanking people for never giving up and always continuing to care.”I’m just glad and thank God that we are able to give back,” Carnes said.This was the KC Freedom Project’s seventh community family giveaway.