Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report
Transcription
Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report
Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report Cover Art The cover of the 2008 Thresholds Annual Report was produced by a 2008 client in the George W. Hill Correctional Facility. The artist and graphic designer, Alde de Shields, aka Abu Yasir Ibrahiem, is one of the founding artists of the clothing companies Miskeen Originals and Meezan Art Couture. He has had his designs shown in fashion shows in Peru, Hong Kong and in the States. Mr. deShields is happily married, has 5 children and resides in North Philadelphia. He is also a proud graduate of the Thresholds program. This design was produced using a No. 2 pencil and a sheet of copy paper. 2 Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report Reflections on this evening “I was in the kitchen and someone “called me out”. I had to take a good look at myself and choose what was right or wrong. I walked away. I didn’t react.” “My teacher gives me inspiration. He shows me that I can change and be the person I want to be.” “When I had a problem with another inmate, I thought about the possibilities and resolved it peacefully, instead of jumping to conclusions and fighting.” The cover of the Thresholds brochure says it all. Teaching Thresholds is an “Invitation to make a difference—one person at a time.” When Thresholds graduates wrote the above quotations on their exit interviews, they gave testimony to the aim and worth of our program. Honoring the teachers who make that difference is a privilege for the Board of Directors. This year, the Annual Dinner and Awards Night falls during National Volunteer’s Week. A week is not sufficient time to recognize the dedication that 35 years of teaching and caring has brought to the incarcerated in Delaware County. Every time a teacher passes the gate of a Correctional Institution is Volunteer’s Week. A volunteer leaves his home in all kinds of weather to visit those members of society who are most often neglected. A volunteer treats with respect those members of society who may not know how to give or receive respect. A volunteer is a mentor, a role model, a living template for the client who is looking to make positive changes in his life. A volunteer makes a difference one person at a time. Welcome to Thresholds 35th Annual Dinner and Awards Night! Enjoy the good food and the company at the best Annual Dinner ever. 3 Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report FROM OUR CLIENTS THRESHOLDS Partners in helping, Decisions be made, Properly and right, With a passing grade. Individual mentoring given Helping us in need For better living. THRESHOLDS IN DELAWARE COUNTY Prison has taken days of my life that I can’t get back. It’s my job to take from here self-knowledge that I can keep. A six step process So we can succeed The tools guiding us On wisdom we feed It’s our decision, To use what we’ve learned, By giving effort, Success will be earned. John Basiello George W. Hill Graduate Used with permission The gifts and limits Are all found within, Possibilities with Thresholds begin. By Bill, a Thresholds graduate in SCI-Chester Used with permission Day After Day Living in my addiction my life fades away, Always worrying how I’m gonna stay drunk day after day Living like this is crazy! All I do is stay drunk so I can keep lazy. I don’t want to hear what people have to say, I just want to stay drunk day after day. I wake up every morning in a dirty, disgusting parking garage, And I say to myself, “This is where I will always lodge.” I’m homeless. I have nowhere to stay. I just wander the streets day after day. Yea, a lot of times I think about crack, But I would rather get trashed on a 30 pack. I stay drunk even when the sky is gray. I kill myself slowly day after day. Being drunk I don’t care if I live or I die, To get what I want all I have to do is lie “How you like my lifestyle?”, is what I say How do normal people live day after day? Bob Murray GWHCF, Used with permission 4 Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report Thresholds in Delaware County Volunteer Teachers for 2008 Vanessa Bullock Pat Cahill Bill Griffin James Holman Barbara Kosierowski Gerry Young Ann Maloney Marty McCormick Richard Miller* Paige Morrison Bill Murphy * Sr. M. George O’Reilly Pam Piunti Lois Powers Tina Stanton * Bob Rieck* Gwen Runge Carolyn Snape Richard Guariglia Fred Struckmeyer Patricia Austin Michael DelVacchio Richard Smyth Rose Frank Pat McKinney Doris Vallone Donna Boyd Janet Costen Gwen Runge MaryAnne McAleavy Jessie Burcat Fran Cook * Grace Han * LaVonda Rouse Hank Mack Adele Malloy* Terry Reed * Rich Meroney Joseph Moran Key Murray Jerry Nowell * David Wolovitz Mary Ann Pizeck Maureen Sullivan MaryLu Stephens Connie Roggio * Shirley Salter Shelly Solow Joan Devine Christine Annechino Mary Ellen Goldfarb Tony Peterman Gudrun Weinberg* Sheryl Shapiro Mike Prentice Claire Zimmer Glenda Carter Kim Nolan Mike DelVacchio * Teachers who taught at more than one Facility. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** 59 Teachers taught in 2008 34 Taught at GWHCF 21 Taught at SCI-Chester 14 Teachers taught at JDC, Lima ***** 2,528 hours 1,291 hours 376 hours Total Teaching Hours for 2008 - 4195 hours 5 Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report SCI– Chester Summary The word has spread among the men at SCI-Chester that Thresholds is a program to take– not just a good one, but one of the best. Almost all of the inmates say it was strongly recommended to them by one or more of our graduates. We repeatedly receive the highest of compliments from the men we serve. Changes in Department of Corrections (DOC) and SCI-Chester policies affected us in 2008. Early in the year there was an effort to move men through the system as quickly as possible, so men did not have time to take non-required programs like Thresholds. For a while we had more teachers than clients. Later, a police shooting in Philadelphia put a hold on pre-release and parole. We went back to having more requests than teachers. Also, graduates were not getting out of prison. Frustration and tension were high. We were cautioned about this. There were no incidents at Chester, unlike at some other State prisons. Still, it was good to be aware of such internal and external elements, even as we taught those concepts. At present, the DOC policies have moderated. Our classes are full and our graduates are generally moving into the world, Thresholds toolbox in hand, so to speak. We again have a waiting list at SCI-Chester. The backlog is a bit disturbing, yet it is the one-on-one teaching that makes Thresholds unique. Micro is particularly appreciated by the clients and the volunteers find it especially rewarding. We are limited by classroom space, but we have four faithful teachers right there at SCI-Chester—men serving life sentences who teach our program. Dan, Tee, Charles, and Eddie help us reach more men who want and need Thresholds. These inspiring men make a big difference to us and to the fellow-inmates they teach. In 2008, there were 78 requests for Thresholds, 83 men were interviewed, 46 clients started the program and 41 graduated. Three who started quit and two had unavoidable time conflicts. These numbers are approximately the same as in 2007. Thresholds continues to have an active presence at SCI-Chester and is well appreciated by both prison residents and staff. The prison Superintendent, Mr. John Thomas, asks me about Thresholds whenever he sees me. The COs at the front desk and in the hallways are friendly and helpful. The Deputies and other prison staff help us be present and function in the prison in many ways. We miss “C.J.” Jones, the Corrections Officer who for a long time was our escort and became our friend. C.J. spoke at our Annual Dinner last year. But now he has been switched to daytime hours and we have a different escort each time. We miss the loyalty and understanding C.J. gave to Thresholds. Our appreciation should especially go to Mr. Jack Booth of the psychology department. As busy as he is, Jack gives us his valuable time and attention to our details. Our clients on exit interviews, at graduations, on the blocks continue to sing Thresholds’ praises. According to my PERTs, Thresholds at SCI-Chester is looking pretty good. May we serve even more clients in 2009. Tina Erickson Stanton SCI-Chester Thresholds Coordinator 6 Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report President’s Report 2008 was a good year for Thresholds. We are celebrating 35 years of continuing service to the men and women and youth in Delaware County prisons. From a handful of people back in the 1970’s to the present, our organization has helped many clients get their lives in order. As the costs of housing inmates rises dramatically and more people are in the correctional system, Thresholds volunteers are working to keep people from returning to prison. We had some positive things happen in 2008 and, of course, some not so positive. But because of the strong group of volunteers who work together to keep our program dynamic, our gifts far outweighed our limits. Some of our accomplishments in 2008 were: - A workshop in March that was well attended and set the direction for Thresholds’ year. - A dedicated Re-Entry Committee that met and developed a program and a booklet with information for our graduates to help them with housing, employment, housing and medical and training goals for the future. - A revision of the Guides (3) and Teacher’s Manual, making the information in our program easier for clients to understand. - An updated Policy and Procedures handbook for Board Members. Thanks to Betty Green for the time and expertise to accomplish this goal. - The hiring of a consultant, LaVonda Rouse, to help improve funding and community relations. - Continued excellent relationships with United Way of Southeast Delaware County and Neumann College. - Continued work on a new Recidivism Report by Ray Westphal. - A successful Annual Dinner and Awards Night at the Drexelbrook. - A variety of social events to bring volunteers together, including a picnic and a bowling night. - More graduates in 2008 in all three facilities. - More volunteers trained to teach and to help administratively. - Almost a thousand more volunteer hours than in 2007. One of the things we have had difficulty with is funding. In these hard economic times it has become harder to obtain grants from foundations that are distributing less funds yet receiving more requests for those funds. Our Funding and Finance Committees worked harder than ever. We have a very dedicated staff that keeps everything flowing in the three prisons we serve. We could not do without Connie Roggio, Tina Stanton and Jerry Nowell. We pledge to move forward and continue serving the inmate population in 2009. We can only do this with the assistance that each and every volunteer gives to us. You make a difference—one person at a time! Thank you! Fran Cook President 7 Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report Slate of Officers for the 2009-2010 Thresholds Board of Directors OFFICERS President—Fran Cook Vice President—Vanessa Bullock Secretary—Chrissy Annechino Treasurer—Dick Bergesen MEMBERS AT LARGE Mike Prentice Robert Rieck Carmen Wilson Mary Anne McAleavy Mary Ellen Goldfarb Carolyn Snape Tony Peterman Jamil Bashir Nominations will be taken from the floor Much thanks and appreciation to the outgoing members of the 2008-2009 Board of Directors William Murphy—Past President Grace Han Gwen Runge Shirley Salter James Holman 8 Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report THRESHOLDS IN DELAWARE COUNTY Awards for outstanding service to Thresholds in 2008: 2008 Volunteer of the Year: Mike Prentice Volunteer of the Year, George W. Hill: Paige Morrison Volunteer of the Year, SCI-Chester: Adele Molloy Volunteer of the Year, Juvenile Ctr.: Chrissy Annechino New Volunteer of the Year: Sheryl Shapiro Terrie McKay Award : Bill Murphy An Achievement Award for a volunteer who exemplifies the dedication of the late Terrie McKay to Thresholds. Service to Thresholds: Mr. Jack Booth, SCI-Chester Ms. Loretta Burton, GWHCF Ms. Maureen Lipski, GWHCF Bunny McNamee– Administrative Assistance Who I Am Makes A Difference Ceremony Everyone who “MADE A DIFFERENCE” will be awarded a memento of their 2008 service. 9 Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report George W. Hill Correctional Facility Summary My second year at the Hill was as satisfying as the first. The clients kept signing up to take Thresholds, the teachers were ready to teach, the Warden provided the space, and all moved forward toward completing Thresholds’ 35th year at the Hill. This paragraph was virtually copied from last year’s report. My main contact with GEO managers was Tom Savage, Assistant Warden for Programs, who never let me down when I had a concern about policy and procedures. David Robinson, the Chaplain, is much more than the Volunteer Coordinator. He is a caring man and truly does the Lord’s work at the Hill. The teachers, counselors, records and filing staff all make me feel part of the team. Mike Shank, the head counselor, is a source of information and support. The IT guys continue to save me. More COs recognize me as the Thresholds program manager and show a respect for the program. The impending change in prison management did not impact Thresholds in 2008. In 2008,there were 80 graduates at the Hill. Eleven more started and were released. This is a little short of my personal goal of 100 graduates. The situation at the Hill is a little different than at SCI-Chester. The men are here for a shorter time. At interview, many say that they will be at the prison for 3 to 6 months. However, some are gone before the classes start. 34 teachers donated 2,528 hours to clients and the County. The diversity of the men and women we teach continues to be a source of power for the program. In 2008, we taught men and women of every background, from several States, with education up to college graduate. Some were barely out of their teens, some were grey- bearded “old heads”. They are matched with the finest volunteers in the County and both teachers and clients are amazed at the perfection of their matches. I just smile and know that the client and teacher make the magic happen. Pat Cahill is not only a faithful micro teacher, but has also become a full-fledged Macro teacher. The men love her kind, gentle manner. Mike Prentice brings his experience, and dedication to the Macro groups. He is a special role model who travels almost an hour each way to come to teach. Bunny McNamee attended training in the fall of 2008, but decided that she could not teach. Instead, Bunny volunteers 3 or 4 hours several times a month to help with the copying, mailing and whatever needs to be done in the office. The number of teachers who teach 4, 5 or 6 cycles a year is inspirational. I look forward to a prosperous year for Thresholds in 2009. Connie Roggio GWHCF Thresholds Program Manager ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ Mid-Atlantic Thresholds Summary Mid-Atlantic, our parent organization is a strong organization. There are also chapters in Chester County and the State of Delaware. We all work together sharing materials and ideas. In 2008 we held a workshop to introduce the new edition of the Guide Volunteers came from each of the chapters to learn the changes and share a meal. Also in 2008 the traveling team, under the guidance of Jerry Nowell, traveled to Atlanta to train new volunteers in the group that was formed there several years ago. This group is teaching both Micro and Macro and training its own teachers. Fran Cook, President 10 Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report Funding Committee Summary Thresholds, as you know, is a non-profit organization that functions almost exclusively by volunteers. We have two part-time employees and rather modest expenses for an organization of our scope. Compared to many other non-profits, we have a relatively small budget. In the past we have been successful in obtaining the funds to make Thresholds the strong, dynamic organization that it is. However, in these difficult economic times, we have found, like many non-profits organizations, that getting funds is not an easy task. In recognition of this, and also being aware that Thresholds probably needs more exposure in the community and with local governing bodies, it was decided to create a contract position in order to focus on two areas: fundraising and publicity. We prepared a job description and were fortunate in being able to secure the funds to fully compensate this position for 7 of the 12 months that it existed. Ms. LaVonda Rouse, a dedicated volunteer, had the credentials and the enthusiasm to fill this position. La Vonda met with many key people in the County such as Representative Bryan Lentz and Mayor Wendell Clark of Chester. She also networked with other non-profits and visited service groups such as The Rotary and The Lions Club. She has been developing a rapport for our organization with local and state government. She also chaired both the Publicity and Funding Committees. I feel that the seeds of her efforts will bear fruit in terms of securing adequate funding in the future. In fact we have recently learned that the City of Chester is indeed considering us for a sizable grant. The United Way was a major contributor to Thresholds. As a member agency we received $12,138, and our individual volunteers contributed $7,172. Churches donated $2,367 and Charitable Foundations $15,000, even though this line item was budgeted for $24,000. Therefore, we were $8,000 below budgeted revenues and now need a turnaround in 2009, despite the economic climate. So far in 2009 the Funding Committee has submitted more applications and grant proposals than any other year in our history. We are looking for a significant turnaround in meeting the funding needs of Thresholds. We do very sincerely appreciate the donations that we have received from our members, organizations and friends. Bill Murphy Finance Committee Chair Thank you for your support in 2008: United Way of SE Delaware County Delaware County Medical Society The Claniel Foundation Grove United Methodist Church The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation Phila. Yearly Meeting– Society of Friends The Douty Foundation Chester Yearly Meeting-Society of Friends St. Thomas of Villanova Church Thresholds Volunteers and Friends 11 Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report WINNER OF THE 2008 GWHCF ART CHALLENGE Luther Major was a special client in 2008. Luther knew he faced State time, but he always maintained a positive outlook. A close look at his drawing reveals many aspects of Thresholds. Notice the Thresholds symbol with a doorway over the decision line– separating the past from the future. See the six symbols and positive values beyond the point of decision. Look at the old values and negative possibilities on the “past” side of the doorway. His teachers believe that Luther did cross into a productive, happy life of good values. ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ Juvenile Detention Center In 2008, we had our most active year yet at the Juvenile Detention Center. We graduated 26 & 21 boys. Fourteen teachers taught at eight weekend sessions. As part of the program’s closing, the boys and girls are asked to critique the experience and their comments were over-whelming positive. What stood out for you? Everyone participated Role-playing Gift cards Having fun We weren’t afraid to open-up We were “comfortable” around others. What did the teachers do well? Cared, Their compassion Talked to us Were an inspiration. Made me feel better Wanted to help What did you like about the Guide? Makes you think The little sayings Symbols Possibilities It’s team-oriented and not boring. What would you change? We were looking to improve the program but other than having more time, most of the kids focused on themselves: My attitude Use the steps Be more positive Staying out of trouble Be more confident The choice that put me in Lima. These responses are why so many of us enjoy working with these young people. Jerry Nowell Juvenile Detention center Coordinator 12 Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report FROM A TEACHER I have been teaching the Thresholds Course at G. W. Hill Prison for just over two years. In this time there have been several remarkable moments of discovery for my clients that have made me appreciate what our work means to them. One client, a black, gay man is also a bestselling author of gay literature and one mainstream book about his experiences at the old prison. While working to complete one exercise concerning the gifts and limits of being in prison, the client had no difficulties enumerating the many limits of jail, but when I asked about gifts, he said, “None, nada, never will be and never was any”. I persisted, thinking about the bestseller he wrote as a result of his experience, but no matter how I asked him, his response was “No, none, nada. There ain’t nothin’ good about this place and nothing worthwhile ever came out of here”. I let the issue go and continued the lesson. Our next exercise was to form his lifeline. Birth, school, parents’ divorce, father’s death, juvenile detention, high school, prison and release, best-selling novel. He stops and looks at me. He smiles, saying, “You knew all along, didn’t you. My book was a gift from my first stay in prison”. I smile as he turns back the page and lists under gifts of prison, “Provided story material which allowed me to write and publish my book”. I know now that he does understand gifts and limits. Another client was in prison for the first time at age 34 for possession with intent to distribute. He had two years of college, a wife and three children. This client is very intelligent, quick and bright! During our third lesson I use a picture of an old woman in bed, with a younger woman at her bedside stroking her cheek. I had cut this picture from an article about people taking care of parents dying from cancer and the role reversal involved. The picture had no caption or hint of the subject matter yet when I asked my client to tell me what is happening in the picture, he says that Mom is dying and her daughter is there providing loving support and comfort. At that moment he begins to cry and apologizes repeatedly for his emotional display. I wait and then ask him about his emotions at that moment. My client he tells me he feels ashamed that he let his mother down by being in jail and that he wishes he could tell her so. We discuss how a mother’s love is unconditional and that despite her disappointment, she still loves him. He apologizes for being emotional and I tell him that his feelings are normal, healthy and that it is fine to express his emotions in this manner. The next week the structured conversation is, “Something good that happened to me this week was….”. The client tells me that he thought about his emotions and decided to write a letter to his mother, including a copy of the picture we artformed and telling her how sorry he was that he disappointed her after all she had done for him over his lifetime. I asked how he felt and he responded that he felt better for having written. I expressed my admiration that he was able to understand the internal aspects of this situation and turn them into a very positive action. He had not heard back from his Mom, since the letter was sent the day before, but he offered that, “Regardless of her response, I know I did wrong and feel better because I stood up, took responsibility, and did the right thing by apologizing”. I told him how proud I was of this action - seeing how his situation affected others and turning his negative feelings into positive actions. A few sessions later my client came in smiling. He told me had spoken to his Mom via phone, each had expressed their love and support for each other. Over the course of the last two years, I have been amazed how serious my clients have been about learning our material, how much I enjoy our sessions and how greatly our clients appreciate our efforts. I have been told “I will never forget you” and several clients have pledged to do volunteer work when they are released. Most of my clients, while learning to apply our techniques to their own life’s challenges have had moments of self-discovery, increased self-awareness and, as a result, a more positive attitude. by David Wolovitz 13 Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 Annual Report Re-Entry Committee Summary Our members have often asked if more could be done to help our clients adjust to society after their release. This issue was addressed at a workshop in March 2007. Options discussed ranged from standing pat to establishing a Thresholds program outside of prison. A Re-Entry Committee met in July 2007. It decided that our mission should be to inform clients of the options available to assist them after release. Categories such as employment, education, medical (including addiction) and family, were agreed on. By January 2008 we decided to: (1) develop a directory containing more than forty services; (2) print a card with phone numbers to be contacted in an emergency; (3) copy chapters from the Community Re-Entry Workbook prepared by the PA Department of Corrections; (4) present this information at a meeting following the last Macro session of each cycle. Last September, the committee began to meet monthly. The first meetings at SCI-Chester and the Hill were to begin after the first cycles of 2009. Because of the extraordinary effort put forth by many volunteers we have extended the Thresholds mission, providing our clients another step towards a successful future. Members of the Re-Entry Committee included: Chrissy Annechino, Dick Bergesen, Vanessa Bullock, Fran Cook, Grace Han, Bill Murphy, Jerry Nowell, Bob Rieck, Connie Roggio, Tina Stanton, Doris Vallone and Ali Wimer Bashir. A copy of Opening the Door to A Better Future, the re-entry directory, may be obtained at the Thresholds office. ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ ˜˜ Volunteer Training Workshop In 2008, Thresholds held three Volunteer Training Workshops at Neumann College and one refresher workshop in Philadelphia. The finest teachers in Delaware County trained forty teachers in those 4 classes. Once again, Neumann College provided a beautiful suite of rooms in the Rocco Abessinio Building. The technology makes training professional and up-to-date. At the January training, John Davis, a recent GWHCF graduate came to speak to the trainees and have lunch with the group. His micro teacher, Ann Maloney, was present and the respect between the two of them was noticeable to all. Many thanks to Bob Rieck and Tina Stanton for providing meals for the Neumann trainings. Connie Roggio GWHCF Thresholds Program Manager DECIDE YOUR PURPOSE If you do the things you need to do, when you need to do them, Set Your Goals Someday You can do the things you want to do, when you want to do them. Jim Tressell, OSU Football Coach 14 15 Thresholds in Delaware County 2008 In-Kind Contributions The GEO Group, Inc— Office space & equipment Neumann College— Training facilities St. Thomas the Apostle Church— Meeting space Calvary Lutheran Church— Meeting space Middletown Friends—Meeting Space Commerce Bank/TD Bank— Office supplies Keystone Bank—Door prizes Joanne Mentzer—Door Prizes Mike Prentice-DVD player We thank these groups for their support. Your help makes Thresholds prosper. 15 To Contact Thresholds Thresholds in Delaware County Post Office Box 114 Thornton, PA 19373 Phone: 610-459-9384 Email: decision@thresholdsdelco.org Web: www.thresholdsdelco.org 16