Local Girl Scout connects families during COVID-19 pandemic

Re-establishing relationships with their children is a key factor that helps women integrate back into their communities after incarceration. Due to necessary safety precautions, the current pandemic has made family reunification even more difficult.

Amy Biehl High School junior and Girl Scout Troop 10574 ambassador Isabella Campbell decided she wanted to do something to help Crossroads moms better connect with their children.

Isabella first learned that women coming out of incarceration are often separated from their children while conducting research for her Girl Scout Gold Award Project. This gave her the idea to create a parent reunification project that would bring Crossroads clients at The Pavilions in Los Lunas and their children together in a unique, safe way during the pandemic. 

“We needed to have creativity for connecting families during the pandemic, and this project came to life with Isabella’s enthusiasm and support from the community.”

Dalilah Naranjo

Isabella spearheaded the project and convinced her troop and her community to take part in this effort. “I wanted to leave a positive impact on Crossroads for Women since I have been working with them since I was a Brownie Girl Scout,” says Izzy. “I believe in the mission of Crossroads and empowering women to achieve safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives in the community, for themselves and their children.” 

“We needed to have creativity for connecting families during the pandemic, and this project came to life with Isabella’s enthusiasm and support from the community,” said Dalilah Naranjo, Community Engagement Coordinator at Crossroads for Women.

“Isabella presented her idea to connect families during this difficult time and Girl Scouts of New Mexico Council strongly supported Isabella’s Gold Award Project,” said Rebecca Latham, Girl Scouts of New Mexico CEO. 

Isabella was able to garner community support for her Gold Award by getting sponsorship from Rio Grande Credit Union and Nusenda Credit Union along with support from friends and family through a Facebook Fundraising initiative. Through her efforts, Izzy was able to raise $920. She used these funds to put together parent reunification care packages, purchase winter clothing for the women at Crossroads, a basketball hoop, and a Foosball table to help connect families. Isabella also worked with Service Unit 184 to collect books and hygiene/cleaning supplies as part of the project.      

“My favorite part was being able to bring joy and hope to the families of Crossroads.”

Isabella Campbell

This past fall, Isabella created personalized care packages for thirteen children, including two infants. Included in the care packages was a stuffed teddy bear that included a personal message with the mom’s voice to her child.  “My favorite part was being able to bring joy and hope to the families of Crossroads,” said Isabella.

“Crossroads is overjoyed with Isabella’s Gold Award project,” says Dalilah. “We are proud that the community came together to provide overwhelming support to Isabella’s service project,” says Steven Campbell and Elizabeth Garcia, her parents and part of the Troop 10574 leadership team. 

Isabella hopes that other scouts will continue to come up with service projects during the pandemic to assist people in need in their local communities. Isabella was awarded her Girl Scouts Silver Award in 2018 for planning the Crossroads Family Barbecue, which brought families together in a joyful family reunion.