News

"Speed Networking: Prisoner and Ex-Offender Services" to be held August 25

Send Me St. Louis will hold a "Speed Networking: Prisoner and Ex-Offender Services" presentation on Thursday, August 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Modeled on the matchmaking concept of "speed dating," this speed networking session is designed to help you and your ministry foster dynamic connections with others who are invested in service to prisoners and ex-offenders.

The free networking event is designed for staff and lay leaders from congregations and faith-based organization who are involved in current prisoner/ex-offender ministries, considering the development of prisoner/ex-offender ministry, seeking volunteers for existing ministry, seeking collaborations and/or resources for ministry, or those hoping to contribute material resources or volunteer time in prisoner/ex-offender ministry.

By engaging in this event, participants will be given the valuable opportunity to collaborate with others involved in their field without doing the legwork of researching, bouncing emails back and forth, or playing phone tag with other programs/ministries. Instead, participants will engage individuals with a variety of expertise, resources, and knowledge in a brief, informal setting.

The event will be held at the Lutheran Hour Ministries (660 Mason Ridge Center Drive). For more information or details, click HERE.

Call for Presentations: Missouri Reentry Conference

Download a "Call for Presentations" below for the 2011 Missouri Reentry Conference. The annual event will be held November 16-18 at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach.

The purpose of the conference is to provide high-quality education and networking opportunities for corrections professionals and community-based partners who contribute to the prisoner reentry process. The multiple tracks format offers a self-directed, facilitated learning environment with education sessions, interactive forums, and exhibits. Education sessions are carefully designed to transcend all industry sectors, focusing on current and emerging issues, best practices, and the many challenges that the community, corrections staffs, and ex-offenders face.

Hosts for the 6th Annual Conference are ARCHS, Missouri Department of Corrections, Missouri Department of Social Services, and The Family and Community Trust (FACT).

Submissions due September 6.

DOWNLOAD CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

Reentry Professonals Gather for STAR Sex Offender Forum

Regional Admin. for Missouri Probation and Parole Nancy McCarthy

More than 80 area reentry, Department of Corrections, and justice officials attended the first St. Louis Alliance for Reentry (STAR) professional development series on July 13. The first topic concerend issues revolving around sex offenders.

Workshop presenters included Mary Bouman, District Administrator for the Missouri Department of Corrections; Mary Schicker, LCSW, Team Lead for Re-Integrative Services at Provident; and Dr. Greg Markway, Chief of Mental Health Services at the Missouri Department of Corrections. Regional Administrator of Missouri Probation and Parole Nancy McCarthy and Area Resources for Community and Human Services Vice President of Grant Management Services Les Johnson gave the welcome addresses.

Those in attendance we also able to give input during a Q&A session. Watch for updates on upcoming programs this fall at www.stlreentry.org.

STAR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PHOTO GALLERY

Prison Performing Arts Announces Upcoming Performances

The men of the Northeast Correctional Center (Bowling Green, MO) will present The Government Inspector by Gogol on Thursday, June 30 at 6 p.m. RSVP is required by June 17.

In addition, the Vandalia Women's Theatre will present two performances of William Shakespeare's The Tempest Acts 1 & 2 and Spoken Words on Monday, July 25 at 1:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. To RSVP, please call the PPA office at (314) 289-4190 or email info @prisonartsstl.org.

Find out more by visiting Prison Performing Arts' website.

ARCHS Helping Make Changes Through a Pen & Pad

Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC) inmates enrolled in ARCHS' Second Chance Act Mentoring Program write out their thoughts and goals during a recent journaling class.

The pen of Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC) inmate Demetrius Williams scribbled back and forth across his notepad during a self-reflection exercise. Deep thought kept Williams' eyes focused on the paper in front of him as words became sentences, sentences became paragraphs, and paragraphs became a deeper meaning to why he was in prison.

Williams is one of dozens of men enrolled in ARCHS' Second Chance Act Mentoring Program, which assists individuals toward a positive life change through activities such as the writing process. Journaling allows individuals to share and receive feedback on their thoughts with peers. It also allows individuals to take a look at past feelings and criminal behavior, and explore different ways to change their perceptions and attitudes

It also allows individuals to take a look at their past feelings and criminal behavior, and explore different ways to change their way of thinking to live in a positive way.

"This has to be the best class offered here (MECC) because you feel like you are taking something away with you, and also that the people really care," Williams said, whose been in prison four years for robbery. "It makes a big difference."

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