Project MORE in the news

Missouri Kairos Outside continues for Women

Kairos Outside, a support weekend for women who have a relative or friend who is or has been incarcerated, recently completed the spring 2008 retreat and is beginning to plan for the fall 2008 session, scheduled for September 12-14.  The fall 2008 session will be #14 for Missouri Kairos Outside, initiated by SVDP’s Criminal Justice Ministry and supported by the St. Louis Council.  Anyone who would like more information or would like to register may call 636-577-4733 to reach the leader of the next session.

CJM Direct Service

Meets Immediate Needs

Serving time behind bars can be a traumatic experience.  That experience doesn’t end upon release.  CJM’s Coordinator of Direct Service S. Eugenio Pastorik, RSM, and Direct Service Assistant Meg Kymes assist about seventy released persons in an average month.  Most frequent needs are clothing, bus tickets for job search, one-time medical needs or personal supplies—often donated by parish school groups or individuals who choose this as their way of ministering to ex-prisoners.

A recent client had spent eleven months in jail, waiting for a decision on a weapons charge.  When she was offered the opportunity to speed up the process by pleading guilty instead of going to trial, she did so and received two years of probation.  Later the charges were dropped—but she still needed to start life over.  CJM’s Direct Service was able to help her with food and clothing vouchers, a “Welcome Backpack” with personal supplies and a supportive note from a parish SVDP Conference, and some housing referrals.  By themselves, these resources have modest costs, but for persons with overwhelming obstacles, this direct service represents the support and respect of many people in the community.  

Volunteers Invited for Workshop, Class

Two opportunities are open for volunteers—one related to healthy marriage, the other anger management.  CJM Volunteer Coordinator S. Rose Rita Huelsmann, SSND, would like to identify interested persons and provide preparation.

The St. Louis Healthy Marriage Coalition offers a week's training in a workshop for healthy marriage.  This program is particularly suited for the men or women in the Choices Program inside jail because they will soon be returning to their families. They are highly motivated to do something different in raising their children and this program offers options to them.

Another program that seems to be very valuable inside jail or prison is the Anger Management class. Anyone with a little background in counseling could learn to teach this class inside and make a huge difference for someone who will have to survive in a cell for years.  Anyone who is interested in learning how to be part of the healthy marriage workshop or to teach Anger Management is urged to call S. Rose Rita Huelsmann at 314-881-6019.