Returning Hearts Celebration is an annual event held at U.S. prisons that restores relationships between inmate fathers and their children through a special day of fun, reconcilation and bonding.

Returning Hearts 2009: Changed Hearts, Changed Lives
This year's Returning Hearts Celebration was an unforgettable experience for inmates, their children and the volunteers who made it happen. Over 500 kids raced in to connect with their fathers, some of them meeting for the first time. View slideshow.
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Volunteer Walks Away ‘Truly Blessed’ by Returning Hearts
“I was blessed to see men, who rightly deserve their punishment, facing the cold, hard facts of what their new life in prison entails and yet living righteously now before the Lord,” says blogger Renee after volunteering for Returning Hearts Celebration in March at Angola Prison.

'Volunteering at Returning Hearts is Life Changing'
Two volunteers were deeply touched by their experience serving at the 2009 Returning Hearts Celebration at Angola Prison.

500 Kids Reunite With Inmate Dads at Angola Prison Event
On March 28, the prison once deemed the most violent in America welcomed the nation’s largest gathering of inmates and their children to promote reconciliation and healing within families. Returning Hearts reunited more than 500 kids with their incarcerated dads at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola for a special day of activities and bonding. Read a report on the event from the Christian Post.

A total of 64 children accepted Christ as their Savior at the Returning Hearts Celebration at the Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. The first of its kind at this prison, the event attracted 68 fathers, 110 kids and 85 volunteers. This is just the beginning! Many are looking forward to participating in the Malachi Dads program at Hunt.

Forty Kids Trust Christ at Avoyelles Correctional Center
Forty-three inmate fathers waited anxiously to see their children. Sixty-eight kids enjoyed a day of games, hot dogs, balloons and time with their dad. Thirty-five dads shared the gospel with their children, and 40 kids accepted Christ! Awana Lifeline is making a difference!
Read the full story
View the slide show

Inside the Wire, the Heart of a Servant DVD
This is a mission trip, and when you come on a mission trip you expect to be changed. Listen to volunteers share how Returning Hearts Celebration changed their lives! For copies of this DVD, please contact us at awanalifeline@awana.org.

A Life-Changing Experience You’ll Never Forget
I quietly shed many tears as I listened to prisoners give testimonies of their freedom in Christ, saw kids interacting with their dads for the first time in years and listened to other volunteers testify of the same. Even now as I write about my trip, I get shaky thinking about it. This event impacted my outlook on life in some extraordinary ways.
— Returning Hearts volunteer

Returning Hearts volunteer: 'This event impacted my outlook on life'

Testimonies from Returning Hearts Celebration

View slide show from Returning Hearts Celebration at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in Louisiana.
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View slide show from Returning Hearts Celebration at the Avoyelles Correctional Center in Louisiana.
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Bulletin Inserts to Promote Volunteer Opportunities
Inform your church about the volunteer opportunities available at an upcoming Returning Hearts Celebration. Some have said it’s the best mission trip ever!
Download Angola insert

View 2007 Returning Hearts Celebration audio slide show

Download ZIP file containing 2007 Returning Hearts Celebration slide show

Learn more about Louisiana State Penitentiary