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12-04-2015, 02:12 PM
I saw this quote on a refrigerator magnet in a bookstore, but it certainly speaks to me. 33 years ago I began volunteering at a prison in Kansas. I haven't stopped and it has been one of the greatest learning experiences of my life.
People ask me what I do when I go to the prisons that I visit and I tell them: "I am a witness to personal transformations." If you were to go with me to a weekly meeting of Reaching Out From Within - a self help program for men and women who are incarcerated in every Kansas prison and three in North Carolina - you would be surprised, amazed, and inspired. You would be privy to an intense, intimate discussion about a range of topics from child abuse, spouse abuse, substance abuse, sexual abuse, anger management, communication skills and other revealing topics. You would hear conversations that are "raw, real and relevant" as one of the inmates describes them.
You would listen to people digging into their souls to understand who they are, why they made such horrific choices when they were younger, working to be completely honest with themselves, aching to atone and forgive themselves so they can help others forgive themselves and live purposeful lives. You would leave the meeting wondering, "Why do I have to drive to remote prisons to learn so much about humanity and the capacity we have to transform ourselves?"
Let me share something about atoning. Our members call it "Giving Back." A few examples - There is a prison where the terminally ill are sent to die. Our members have trained themselves to be Hospice workers and they tend to these men. They bathe them, talk with them, and schedule themselves so that no inmate dies alone. They raise funds to donate to child abuse programs and domestic violence shelters. They are permitted to leave the prisons to speak with juveniles on probation.
The recidivism rates for inmates who choose to participate in these weekly life-changing sessions is astounding - 23% if you attend 20-40 meetings, 17% if you attend 40-60 meetings and 8% if you attend 60 or more meetings. This is even more remarkable whenyou realize that the national recidivism rate is between 50 and 67%. Why is it so effective? Because the members are empowered to run the program themselves. They become therapists
for themselves and each other by following a curriculum that was created by a man who was serving a life sentence. Meeting Greg M. took me out of my comfort zone and indelibly changed my life. He asked me to contact people with expertise in the topics mentioned above and I did. They all came to the prison, shared their expertise and Greg remembered every word they said. He began teaching a course that was composed of information, followed by personal questions and even more personal questions. The answers that followed the questions brought tears, catharsis and hope. One of the group members started transcribing the conversations. This remarkable document is lovingly called "The Blue Book" because of its cover.
What is my part in this magnificent program? My presence makes a statement. My presence says that what these men and women are doing is so valuable, it is important for me to be there. It is important for me to be inspired by their courage to change, to become more honest with myself, to be a messenger to people on the other side of the barbed-wire fences, to let them know that dramatic change is possible and we need to give those who HAVE changed, a second chance. 98% of all people who enter prisons will be released and return to their communities. Wouldn't you rather have a neighbor who has used his/her time in prison to become committed to non-violence, to be better spouses, parents, employees and productive citizens?
This opportunity needs to be offered in every prison in every state. It's powerful, it works, it's volunteer driven. You can help us make this happen. L'Oreal is giving us a profound platform to spread the word. Please visit our website at c2cprisons.org (http://c2cprisons.org/), please make a difference for millions - not just those in prisons, but their families, their children and for all of the Volunteers who will be able to answer THIS question - "How can I do something meaningful with my life?".
Author Bio
SuEllen Fried was honored by President George H. Bush as his 900th Point of light for her Volunteer work in Kansas psychiatric hospitals and Kansas prisons, which began in the early 1960s and continues to this day. Her contact with patients and inmates led her to understand their profound experiences with child abuse. She organized the Pilot Chapter for Prevent Child Abuse America in 1976 and ultimately became Chairman of that Board of Directors and a Life Board Member. She recognized bullying as a form of child abuse - peer abuse - and co-authored three books on the topic, beginning in 1996. Her website: www.BullySafeUSA.com (http://www.bullysafeusa.com/) has enabled her to work with over 85,000 students, educators, and parents in 36 states. SuEllen Fried was recognized as a L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth in 2015 for making a difference in her state and beyond.
This post is part of a series produced by The Huffington Post and L'Oréal Paris to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Women of Worth program, honoring women making a beautiful difference in the world. The ten 2015 Women of Worth honorees are pursuing their passions to accomplish the extraordinary through philanthropic efforts in their communities. Each received $10,000 for her charitable cause from L'Oréal Paris. To learn more about Women of Worth or to submit a nomination beginning Spring 2016, please visit womenofworth.com (http://womenofworth.com).
-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. (http://start.westnet.ca/newstempch.php?article=terms.html/) It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
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People ask me what I do when I go to the prisons that I visit and I tell them: "I am a witness to personal transformations." If you were to go with me to a weekly meeting of Reaching Out From Within - a self help program for men and women who are incarcerated in every Kansas prison and three in North Carolina - you would be surprised, amazed, and inspired. You would be privy to an intense, intimate discussion about a range of topics from child abuse, spouse abuse, substance abuse, sexual abuse, anger management, communication skills and other revealing topics. You would hear conversations that are "raw, real and relevant" as one of the inmates describes them.
You would listen to people digging into their souls to understand who they are, why they made such horrific choices when they were younger, working to be completely honest with themselves, aching to atone and forgive themselves so they can help others forgive themselves and live purposeful lives. You would leave the meeting wondering, "Why do I have to drive to remote prisons to learn so much about humanity and the capacity we have to transform ourselves?"
Let me share something about atoning. Our members call it "Giving Back." A few examples - There is a prison where the terminally ill are sent to die. Our members have trained themselves to be Hospice workers and they tend to these men. They bathe them, talk with them, and schedule themselves so that no inmate dies alone. They raise funds to donate to child abuse programs and domestic violence shelters. They are permitted to leave the prisons to speak with juveniles on probation.
The recidivism rates for inmates who choose to participate in these weekly life-changing sessions is astounding - 23% if you attend 20-40 meetings, 17% if you attend 40-60 meetings and 8% if you attend 60 or more meetings. This is even more remarkable whenyou realize that the national recidivism rate is between 50 and 67%. Why is it so effective? Because the members are empowered to run the program themselves. They become therapists
for themselves and each other by following a curriculum that was created by a man who was serving a life sentence. Meeting Greg M. took me out of my comfort zone and indelibly changed my life. He asked me to contact people with expertise in the topics mentioned above and I did. They all came to the prison, shared their expertise and Greg remembered every word they said. He began teaching a course that was composed of information, followed by personal questions and even more personal questions. The answers that followed the questions brought tears, catharsis and hope. One of the group members started transcribing the conversations. This remarkable document is lovingly called "The Blue Book" because of its cover.
What is my part in this magnificent program? My presence makes a statement. My presence says that what these men and women are doing is so valuable, it is important for me to be there. It is important for me to be inspired by their courage to change, to become more honest with myself, to be a messenger to people on the other side of the barbed-wire fences, to let them know that dramatic change is possible and we need to give those who HAVE changed, a second chance. 98% of all people who enter prisons will be released and return to their communities. Wouldn't you rather have a neighbor who has used his/her time in prison to become committed to non-violence, to be better spouses, parents, employees and productive citizens?
This opportunity needs to be offered in every prison in every state. It's powerful, it works, it's volunteer driven. You can help us make this happen. L'Oreal is giving us a profound platform to spread the word. Please visit our website at c2cprisons.org (http://c2cprisons.org/), please make a difference for millions - not just those in prisons, but their families, their children and for all of the Volunteers who will be able to answer THIS question - "How can I do something meaningful with my life?".
Author Bio
SuEllen Fried was honored by President George H. Bush as his 900th Point of light for her Volunteer work in Kansas psychiatric hospitals and Kansas prisons, which began in the early 1960s and continues to this day. Her contact with patients and inmates led her to understand their profound experiences with child abuse. She organized the Pilot Chapter for Prevent Child Abuse America in 1976 and ultimately became Chairman of that Board of Directors and a Life Board Member. She recognized bullying as a form of child abuse - peer abuse - and co-authored three books on the topic, beginning in 1996. Her website: www.BullySafeUSA.com (http://www.bullysafeusa.com/) has enabled her to work with over 85,000 students, educators, and parents in 36 states. SuEllen Fried was recognized as a L'Oreal Paris Women of Worth in 2015 for making a difference in her state and beyond.
This post is part of a series produced by The Huffington Post and L'Oréal Paris to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Women of Worth program, honoring women making a beautiful difference in the world. The ten 2015 Women of Worth honorees are pursuing their passions to accomplish the extraordinary through philanthropic efforts in their communities. Each received $10,000 for her charitable cause from L'Oréal Paris. To learn more about Women of Worth or to submit a nomination beginning Spring 2016, please visit womenofworth.com (http://womenofworth.com).
-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. (http://start.westnet.ca/newstempch.php?article=terms.html/) It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
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