When WORLD Magazine honored us with the HOPE Award for Effective Compassion (Southern Region) we didn't realize how far reaching the effects would be. We've gotten calls offering our graduates jobs, we've found new volunteers, and we've met new friends. The letter below is one of the unexpected blessings from the article. Take a minute to read the thoughts of a prison inmate who is seeking out a way to serve other inmates.
July 23, 2010
Advance Memphis
PO Box 2201
Memphis, TN 38101-2201
Dear Advance Memphis,
I recently read the article about your organization in the June 19, 2010 issue of World Magazine. I was so impressed with your efforts I felt compelled to write for two reasons. The first is an effort to applaud your mission and the second, if possible, is to gain some additional information.
First, thank you! Thank you not only for helping the impoverished in Memphis but also for the example you are setting for all those that are expodsed to your efforts. So many of us drive by these parts of town pretending they are not there. We also read or hear of stories how another former inmate re-offends and automatically wonder why they were ever released in the first place. I know this because I was once one of those people passing judgement as if I were perfect. That is of course until I found myself serving an eight year sentence in a federal prison and wondering if anyone out there will give me a second chance.
I am in a much better position than your average inmate, I realize this and am much more appreciative of all that I still have than I ever was before my trouble. I have an education and a supportive cast of friends and family but more important than all of that is that I found Christ in this process. As I am certain you are aware, most of the inmates here have none of these things in there lives. Inside, these guys are barely offered a basic GED education let alone anything else substantial that will guide them upon their release. We need more organizations such as yours providing tht guidance. I had no idea that a mission of this type even existed. Education, guidance, support, encouragement and even discipline are what is needed to help the majority of former inmates from re-offending. Thank you for not only providing that but also showing the public that second chances work.
As I mentioned my primary goal was to thank you for your work. However, I also wanted to ask if you are aware of any organizations or missions providing these services in my release city of Louisville, KY. During my two years at this facility, I have worked in the ducation department tutoring the GED students, and I have discovered two things through this experience: First, I truly enjoy teaching and have found that I have been blessed with a little talent in this area. Second, I have found how badly education, both GED and life skills education, is needed. I feel that I am being led somewhere in this direction. The article and your work have given me further inspiration. I am considering a future in adult education and this letter is in part the beginning of my investigations. I have come to realie how self-serving I was in my former life and I do not wish to return to that. I want to take full advantage of this time in preparation for my release sometime in early 2015.
I realize that your organization runs with minimal staff and the efforts of an exceptionally busy volunteer crew, and a response to my letter may not even be possible. I understand and respect that. If that is the case, then I would only wish to thank you and congratulate you on your efforts and success. If, however, in due time you are able to respond with a place for me to start looking in Louisville, KY, it would be greatly appreciated.
In my new “life,” I am desperately trying to not miss or, truthfully, ignore the gentle nudges and directions God is providing me. I still have approximately firve years left to my sentence which is enough time to prepare myself, in whatever way I need, for what awaits me in the second half of my life.
I thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide.
First, thank you! Thank you not only for helping the impoverished in Memphis but also for the example you are setting for all those that are expodsed to your efforts. So many of us drive by these parts of town pretending they are not there. We also read or hear of stories how another former inmate re-offends and automatically wonder why they were ever released in the first place. I know this because I was once one of those people passing judgement as if I were perfect. That is of course until I found myself serving an eight year sentence in a federal prison and wondering if anyone out there will give me a second chance.
I am in a much better position than your average inmate, I realize this and am much more appreciative of all that I still have than I ever was before my trouble. I have an education and a supportive cast of friends and family but more important than all of that is that I found Christ in this process. As I am certain you are aware, most of the inmates here have none of these things in there lives. Inside, these guys are barely offered a basic GED education let alone anything else substantial that will guide them upon their release. We need more organizations such as yours providing tht guidance. I had no idea that a mission of this type even existed. Education, guidance, support, encouragement and even discipline are what is needed to help the majority of former inmates from re-offending. Thank you for not only providing that but also showing the public that second chances work.
As I mentioned my primary goal was to thank you for your work. However, I also wanted to ask if you are aware of any organizations or missions providing these services in my release city of Louisville, KY. During my two years at this facility, I have worked in the ducation department tutoring the GED students, and I have discovered two things through this experience: First, I truly enjoy teaching and have found that I have been blessed with a little talent in this area. Second, I have found how badly education, both GED and life skills education, is needed. I feel that I am being led somewhere in this direction. The article and your work have given me further inspiration. I am considering a future in adult education and this letter is in part the beginning of my investigations. I have come to realie how self-serving I was in my former life and I do not wish to return to that. I want to take full advantage of this time in preparation for my release sometime in early 2015.
I realize that your organization runs with minimal staff and the efforts of an exceptionally busy volunteer crew, and a response to my letter may not even be possible. I understand and respect that. If that is the case, then I would only wish to thank you and congratulate you on your efforts and success. If, however, in due time you are able to respond with a place for me to start looking in Louisville, KY, it would be greatly appreciated.
In my new “life,” I am desperately trying to not miss or, truthfully, ignore the gentle nudges and directions God is providing me. I still have approximately firve years left to my sentence which is enough time to prepare myself, in whatever way I need, for what awaits me in the second half of my life.
I thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide.
Sincerely,
John Doe
Federal Corrections Institute
PO Box 6001
Ashland, KY 41105
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