Milwaukee will host the 9th Annual National Prisoner Reentry Conference October 7 - 10th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The theme is Justice & Mercy, Maintaining Balance in Prisoner Reentry.
In addition to Christian Association for Prison Aftercare, sponsors include the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Prison Aftercare Network of Wisconsin.
The program is for those who work or volunteer in reentry. For more information visit: http://www.capaassociation.org/upcoming_events.htm .
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For more information on prison ministry visit: TheWomenOfBlock12
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Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Rape Statistics & Native Americans
Jail ministry has opened my eyes to the terrible statistics of violence against women. Many of these individuals have been raped and sexually abuse during their lifetime
There is an excellent article by Ajijaakwe posted today at: http://www.blogher.com/sovereignty-native-women-tribal-law-and-order-act.
She is discussing a new law - The Tribal Law and Order Act which gives Native American Tribes "jurisdiction over non-Indians who commit violent crimes on tribal lands.
To summarize just a few of her findings:
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 70% of all rapes in the U.S. go unreported; other sources place the number as high as 84%.
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For more information visit http://www.TheWomenOfBlock12.com
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There is an excellent article by Ajijaakwe posted today at: http://www.blogher.com/sovereignty-native-women-tribal-law-and-order-act.
She is discussing a new law - The Tribal Law and Order Act which gives Native American Tribes "jurisdiction over non-Indians who commit violent crimes on tribal lands.
To summarize just a few of her findings:
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 70% of all rapes in the U.S. go unreported; other sources place the number as high as 84%.
- Among rape victims in the general population, 74% report being physically battered in additional ways during the commission of the rape. For Native women, that number jumps to 90%.
- Among the general population, 30% of rape victims report sustaining other physical injuries, in addition to the rape itself. Among Native women, that number is 50%.
- Roughly 11% of rape victims as a whole report that their rapist used a weapon. For Native women, that number more than triples, to 34%.
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For more information visit http://www.TheWomenOfBlock12.com
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Friday, July 23, 2010
An Evening With Wally Lamb
As promised, I'm here to tell you all about my evening with Wally Lamb. Well, actually there were about 150 of us who spent the evening with him. We gathered at the Wherehouse on Water Street in Milwaukee. Water was the word of the evening. It rained, and rained and rained until Milwaukee's deep tunnel popped it cork and literally blew the lids off the manholes. While it was raining outside the Wherehouse, it was also raining inside. It seems the roof of the beautifully remodeled 100 year plus machine shop had a few holes in it and the warm rain sprinkled down on our heads flooding the floor. But it didn't dampen our spirits. We were there to hear our favorite author Wally Lamb. We were not disappointed.
The evening was hosted by The Benedict Center, an interfaith, nonprofit criminal justice agency. This wonderful organization works with victims, offenders and the community to achieve equal justice for all individuals. Guests were warmly greeted by volunteer members and residents of the Benedict Center who mingled with the crowd and made us feel ever so welcome. As an added bonus, the program booklet included personal stories written by clients of the center.
Mr. Lamb is a warm and engaging speaker who spent time meeting personally with visitors both before and after his presentation. He told humorous stories of his experiences including what it was like to be called, at home, by Oprah Winfrey when she just wanted to tell him how much she enjoyed his first novel, She's Come Undone.
The main topic of the evening was Lamb's work with women at the York Correctional Institution in Connecticut where he has taught creative writing classes for the past 11 years. His passion for this project led to the publication of two books Couldn't Keep It To Myself and I'll Fly Away. Both are collections of stories written by his students.
Wally Lambs dedication to the women of York Correctional Institution has resulted in greater public awareness of the needs of incarcerated women and the inequality of the criminal justice system.
Thank you Mr. Lamb and The Benedict Center for a wonderful evening!
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For more information about women in prison and prison ministry visit: http://www.TheWomenOfBlock12.com.
The evening was hosted by The Benedict Center, an interfaith, nonprofit criminal justice agency. This wonderful organization works with victims, offenders and the community to achieve equal justice for all individuals. Guests were warmly greeted by volunteer members and residents of the Benedict Center who mingled with the crowd and made us feel ever so welcome. As an added bonus, the program booklet included personal stories written by clients of the center.
Mr. Lamb is a warm and engaging speaker who spent time meeting personally with visitors both before and after his presentation. He told humorous stories of his experiences including what it was like to be called, at home, by Oprah Winfrey when she just wanted to tell him how much she enjoyed his first novel, She's Come Undone.
The main topic of the evening was Lamb's work with women at the York Correctional Institution in Connecticut where he has taught creative writing classes for the past 11 years. His passion for this project led to the publication of two books Couldn't Keep It To Myself and I'll Fly Away. Both are collections of stories written by his students.
Wally Lambs dedication to the women of York Correctional Institution has resulted in greater public awareness of the needs of incarcerated women and the inequality of the criminal justice system.
Thank you Mr. Lamb and The Benedict Center for a wonderful evening!
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For more information about women in prison and prison ministry visit: http://www.TheWomenOfBlock12.com.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
An Update
My apologies for not writing to you since May 14th. Every available minute has been spent on finishing The Women of Block 12. I am happy to say it will be going to the proofreaders in the next couple of weeks, then off to the printer. This has been a very exciting time. Before release, you will have the opportunity to pre-order the book at a discounted price. Also, groups and organizations will get generous discounts so that they can use the book for fund raising purposes.
Our guest blogger, Joy, is working on another installment of her story. This will be online very soon. She is doing well in her new job and new apartment....I'll let her tell you all about it.
Tomorrow, July 22, author Wally Lamb is visiting Milwaukee at the Benedict Center and due to the generosity of my friend, Jill Turcotte-Nielsen, I GET TO GO! Mr. Lamb is very famous for his novels, but I am particularly interested in two of his works Couldn't Keep It To Myself and I'll Fly Away. He teaches writing classes at a women's prison. These two works are a collection of the inmates writings. I highly recommend all of Mr. Lambs books. You can find more information at Harper Collins. I promise to memorize every word he says tomorrow night and give you a full report of his talk.
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Our guest blogger, Joy, is working on another installment of her story. This will be online very soon. She is doing well in her new job and new apartment....I'll let her tell you all about it.
Tomorrow, July 22, author Wally Lamb is visiting Milwaukee at the Benedict Center and due to the generosity of my friend, Jill Turcotte-Nielsen, I GET TO GO! Mr. Lamb is very famous for his novels, but I am particularly interested in two of his works Couldn't Keep It To Myself and I'll Fly Away. He teaches writing classes at a women's prison. These two works are a collection of the inmates writings. I highly recommend all of Mr. Lambs books. You can find more information at Harper Collins. I promise to memorize every word he says tomorrow night and give you a full report of his talk.
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Friday, May 14, 2010
Society Has No Mercy - God Does
Guest Blogger - Joy
It feels good to be back to work. I thank God for this opportunity. There was a time, after my release from prison in April 2007 that I thought I would never get a job. My past criminal record isn't the greatest and no one seemed to want to give me a chance. I am trained as a dental assistant and I have done some factory work. I filled out so many applications, but every time they'd do a background check, I wasn't considered. I wouldn't even get an interview. If I did get an interview and I told them I was a felon, I never heard from the employer again.
So, I just worked in a local restaurant that hired me back, off and on for many years. It was only part time, and it wasn't much money, but it provided. I just kept praying God would open a door for me....And he did! The company where Linda works gave me a chance. I'm a housekeeper and I loved my job! I think they like me too. Praise God!
My next hurdle is to find an apartment. I applied for a 2 bedroom. The lady was so nice when I went to look at it. I was honest with her. She called me that night and said, I could rent from her. I was so excited, because my living situation (at the time) was so dysfunctional. I told her I would drop off the deposit the next day. She called me while I was at work and left a message. She had changed her mind. I tried to call her back to find out what I already knew - she did a background check.
I can't tell you how much it hurts to be rejected over and over because of my past. I guess, I do understand their thinking. I am a felon. They are afraid of me. It's just so hard to stay positive when society looks at us as not capable of changing. I've served my time and would like to start a new chapter in my life.
As ex-offenders, we beat ourselves up for the things we have done and the devil loves to fill our heads with lies that we are no good and don't deserve anything better. Why should we even try? So many of us go back to old ways because we can't get a break.
Today I stand on God's word. "I am a new creation in Christ. The old is gone, the new has come." I keep trudging forward because I know God is faithful. I am a testimony of what he can do.
I will not let society taboo me or allow the devil to fill my head with insecurities. I deserve to be treated like everyone else - even if others don't think so. God loves me and will get me through every trial.
Please continue to pray for ex-offenders. And pray that God will give me wisdom. I would like to start a ministry, some day, to mentor others.
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For more stories from the Women of Block 12, please visit: http://www.TheWomenOfBlock12.com.
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It feels good to be back to work. I thank God for this opportunity. There was a time, after my release from prison in April 2007 that I thought I would never get a job. My past criminal record isn't the greatest and no one seemed to want to give me a chance. I am trained as a dental assistant and I have done some factory work. I filled out so many applications, but every time they'd do a background check, I wasn't considered. I wouldn't even get an interview. If I did get an interview and I told them I was a felon, I never heard from the employer again.
So, I just worked in a local restaurant that hired me back, off and on for many years. It was only part time, and it wasn't much money, but it provided. I just kept praying God would open a door for me....And he did! The company where Linda works gave me a chance. I'm a housekeeper and I loved my job! I think they like me too. Praise God!
My next hurdle is to find an apartment. I applied for a 2 bedroom. The lady was so nice when I went to look at it. I was honest with her. She called me that night and said, I could rent from her. I was so excited, because my living situation (at the time) was so dysfunctional. I told her I would drop off the deposit the next day. She called me while I was at work and left a message. She had changed her mind. I tried to call her back to find out what I already knew - she did a background check.
I can't tell you how much it hurts to be rejected over and over because of my past. I guess, I do understand their thinking. I am a felon. They are afraid of me. It's just so hard to stay positive when society looks at us as not capable of changing. I've served my time and would like to start a new chapter in my life.
As ex-offenders, we beat ourselves up for the things we have done and the devil loves to fill our heads with lies that we are no good and don't deserve anything better. Why should we even try? So many of us go back to old ways because we can't get a break.
Today I stand on God's word. "I am a new creation in Christ. The old is gone, the new has come." I keep trudging forward because I know God is faithful. I am a testimony of what he can do.
I will not let society taboo me or allow the devil to fill my head with insecurities. I deserve to be treated like everyone else - even if others don't think so. God loves me and will get me through every trial.
Please continue to pray for ex-offenders. And pray that God will give me wisdom. I would like to start a ministry, some day, to mentor others.
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For more stories from the Women of Block 12, please visit: http://www.TheWomenOfBlock12.com.
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Monday, May 10, 2010
Decisions, Decisions
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Daily decisions. We all have to make them. Nothing too difficult.
Visit The Women of Block 12 at: http://www.TheWomenOfBlock12.com
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Daily decisions. We all have to make them. Nothing too difficult.
- What should I wear to the office today?
- Cheerios or a scrambled egg for breakfast?
- Should I leave work early to go to an appointment?
- Which bills to pay first?
- What can I make for supper tonight?
- Groceries or gas?
- Medicine or phone bill?
- Car repair $600 (so she can get to work) or Leave an abusive partner and pay her own rent?
Visit The Women of Block 12 at: http://www.TheWomenOfBlock12.com
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Sunday, May 2, 2010
God's Grace In The Lonely Places
A recent article in Christianity Today "Asking The Beautiful Question," by Joel Van Dyke and Kris Rocke is a must read for all those interested in prison ministry. You can find the story at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/globalconversation/april2010/index.html?sms_ss=email.
The article asks the question, "What does the gospel look like when it invades the margins of the world?" The margins they speak of are populations of imprisoned gang members in South America, prostitutes, street youth, and families in extreme poverty. The authors reveal some surprising insights into God's work in the world.
Those of us in prison and jail ministry will recognize, in these examples, how the grace of God flows in both directions when we minister to the least of these.
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Visit: The Women Of Block 12: Voices From a Jail Ministry. http://www.TheWomenOfBlock12.com.
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The article asks the question, "What does the gospel look like when it invades the margins of the world?" The margins they speak of are populations of imprisoned gang members in South America, prostitutes, street youth, and families in extreme poverty. The authors reveal some surprising insights into God's work in the world.
Those of us in prison and jail ministry will recognize, in these examples, how the grace of God flows in both directions when we minister to the least of these.
* * * * *
Visit: The Women Of Block 12: Voices From a Jail Ministry. http://www.TheWomenOfBlock12.com.
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