Please See Below for Forwarding to FamilyReEntry.org and Prisonist.org. Thank You!

Monday, April 25, 2016

After Trauma: The Time For Spiritual Growth, By Jeff Grant, JD, M Div




Prisonist.org: Faith & Dignity 
for the Days Ahead
Blogs, Guest Blogs & News



After Trauma: 
The Time For Spiritual Growth



By Jeff Grant, JD, M Div



____________

WHAT IF, you are exactly where you are supposed to be?

So many of us are in a place where our first life has come to an end.  A divorce, the death of a child or other loved one, loss of a job or career, alcohol and drug problems that finally crushed us, financial issues that overwhelmed our ability to be present for ourselves and our families, an illness or mental illness, hospitalization, poor judgment that has caused rampant legal problems, incarceration.

So many of us are suffering and want to find a new way.  But they - we - are mostly frozen.  Stopped dead in our tracks feeling alone, isolated, and hopeless.  We mourn the past and fear the future.

WHAT IF, the feelings you are feeling, the sorrows and joys, the suffering and the release, are what is exactly intended for you?  More than just intended for you, what if this moment in your life had to happen – that it has actually been pre-programmed?  Pre-programmed for you, and for me, and for everyone.

WHAT IF, knowing that this was pre-programmed, we could anticipate it, welcome it, and accept this part of life as natural.  As a God-given portion of our lives.  I’m talking to you about the middle part, the liminal part.  The part of life you are in now – after the first life you’ve lived. And before your second life, a life of uncertainty and the unknown.

WHAT IF, where you are right now is actually the best time of life – the greatest moment of life?  And to experience it in all its greatness, all you have to do is ACCEPT that this is exactly where you are supposed to be?  That God has pre-programmed in us this moment - whether it be for a week, a month, a year or a decade – and has given us the power and free-will to make it absolutely the greatest period of our lives?

Among my resolutions for this New Year is to present to you some things I’ve learned on my spiritual path to prove that this space we enter, the middle place, actually is (or can be) the best and most important time of our lives. 

Let’s start with the Bible, or at least 500 years of it or so crammed into a few paragraphs (with apologies to scholars & close readers).

Have you ever thought about the term, Good Samaritan?  Everyone who goes to church wants to be a Good Samaritan, don’t they.   Don’t you? In many passages, Jesus talked about good Samaritans, and commended them for all the good works they did for others.

For example, Luke 10:25-37 is actually called “The Parable of The Good Samaritan.”  In this scripture, Jesus tells the tale of three men who approach a man on the side of the road who had been attacked by robbers, and commends “the one who had mercy on him.” The Good Samaritan. In other examples in the Bible, John 4:4-26, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well, and asks her for a drink.  In this interchange, Jesus gives the Samaritan the greatest gift of all.

The question I have is: when did Samaritans become the good guys, and the people named in the Bible to receive God’s gifts?  The Samaritans were a class of people who had lost their place in Jewish society, and were loathed and despised by the Jews ever since.  When were Samaritans lifted up and given a place of respect and importance?  Repurposed if you will, such that the name Samaritan itself went from being synonymous with outcast, to that of being a doer of good deeds?

It started with the Exile – the Babylonian Exile.  Or more accurately, in the time of the Fall leading to the Exile.  Many prophets had prophesied that the Exile was coming.  The Prophet Isaiah, for example, spoke of the coming destruction and exile (i.e. Isaiah 5:13).

And as we know, these prophesies turned out to be accurate. Jerusalem was invaded, people were massacred, and the city and the Great Temple were burned to the ground.  The elite - the wealthy, the intelligencia and the religious leaders – were the first to be sent into bondage in Babylon.  Followed soon after by the lesser classes.  But not all Jews living in Israel and Judah were sent into Exile – some were left in Jerusalem as slaves in their own city.  And ignored completely were the Jews living in Samaria – an outpost city in the north of the kingdom.

Not that much was written about the Jews while they lived in exile in Babylon.  But one thing seems certain: before the exile the Jews were a people of the Temple, who believed that God resided in the Temple.  They worshipped God at the temple and other high places (in Hebrew “bemot”).   Without the Temple and high places, the Jews were without their God and the foundations of their religion.  In order to preserve their religion and people, having no homeland to call their own, the leaders made a critical decision while in exile – they decided that God was indeed everywhere, and that the worship of God would be from that point founded in the Bible. That is Judaism changed from a “religion of place” to a religion “of the book.”  This important decision, made while in captivity – in a space of suffering – not only ensured their continuity in exile, but enabled the Judeo-Christian religion to survive for the next 2500 years.

We know that Jewish people were allowed to return to Jerusalem after 70 years of exile. That prophecy was fulfilled in 537 B.C., and the Jews were allowed by King Cyrus of Persia to return to Israel and begin rebuilding the city and temple.  Two great prophets emerged from exile to lead the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple.   The prophet Ezra, who declared that the Temple should be rebuilt first, and that God would protect the people who first honored God and their religion.  On the other hand, the prophet Nehemiah declared that the Jews should first rebuild the walls of the city.  Perhaps more pragmatic than Ezra, he determined that without walls the city would be vulnerable to attack.  It is unknown who won this debate, or if the Temple or the walls were reconstructed first.  But the debate, between putting God first or material security first, rages on in various ways to this day.

But not all Jews were permitted to rebuild the Temple and the walls of the city.

The Jews who had been left to live in Samaria without going to exile wanted to help rebuild Jerusalem.   But in the ensuing seventy years, the Jews in Samaria had intermarried with non-Jews, and now were considered unclean and half-breeds. They were no longer considered to be Jews by the people in Jerusalem and were not allowed to enter the holy city.  Instead, they were scorned and mocked for what they had done.  The Samaritans were considered a lesser people for the next 500 years, through the Greek occupation of Israel, and then the Roman occupation of Israel, and right up to the time of Jesus when he spoke of them in parables.  When Jesus lifted them up, and declared their worthiness as people of God.

It always amazes me that the greatest time of change for the Jews – the change that assured them a new life and a new freedom, was in the middle period while they were in Exile.

The same is true for the Israelites in the Exodus. When we think of the Bible, we are usually drawn to the desert, the place in the middle where the Israelites witnessed great miracles for forty years and became a new people – a people without memories of bondage in Egypt and who had yet to be delivered to the promised land.

And is true for the Samaritans, who led lives of dejection and persecution by their own people, not allowed the rights and privileges to worship and belong for over 500 years.  They were restored by Jesus in a new way in a new community, a community which was forming even as Jerusalem and the Temple were again burned to the ground in 70 AD.

I am an Israelite, a Jew, a Samaritan and a Christian.

Perhaps as Israelites, Jews, Samaritans and Christians these Bible passages were given to us for a reason.  Perhaps that reason was to charge us with the message that life, and our identity in this life, is impermanent.  Perhaps after all the generations since it is burned into our DNA.

Perhaps it has become so embodied that we intuit, we know, that the day will come along where life will indeed different than the life we planned - like the Israelites in Egypt, or the Jews in Jerusalem, or Samaritans in their own city.  And that we all enter places middle places where we will have the opportunities to change into something different than before.  Something more authentic to our new and unexpected place in the world.  Something more able to survive the trials and tests, and enjoy the gifts and blessings of our new order.  That, in fact, this inevitability is the only way we can survive and flourish.  And that because it is inevitable, it something we do not have to fear.  Instead, it is something that we can joyfully anticipate and plan for.  

It is my proposition that this middle space, this place of no longer the past and not yet the future, is not actually a place of exile, but is a place of sanctuary.  A place of retreat.  A holy, God-given place that is an opportunity for every one of us to rest, grow, learn, evolve and become the people God intends us to be.

And in order to experience these gifts in this place, all we have to do is one thing.  One simple thing that eludes most of us for so long that we suffer.  The one thing we have to do is ACCEPT that we here.  ACCEPT that God has delivered us to this place.  That we are in this place, right here right now. 

The middle place. Exactly where we are supposed to be.    



This article was first posted on prisonist.org 
on Jan. 2, 2015 as A Repurposed Life: 
A Biblical Perspective. Our readership has 
grown significantly since then, so we 
decided to share it again. 
__________


Comments:  

Jeff, “After Trauma”. A great read! The place you speak about, I sometimes call the “wilderness”, is exactly where Christ wants us to be, to further mold and shape us to be the person we are to be tomorrow. As the psalmist says “yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil” for in this place of rest, God embraces us and protects us.  New seeds are planted and we grow into the he He now wants us to be.  Much of what I too address in clients who are in that wilderness, that valley.  They are resting in the “shadow”; they have not died but the past is gone and a new exciting future awaits them.  Wishing you much blessings and peace as you touch lives once lost but soon to be found!  God bless. - Jerry Porricelli, Greenwich, CT


I truly believe that the life I led for 34 years is now a resource for good...a life that involved secure units, prisons, drugs and violence is now behind me. I have gone through a complete transformation of character and today I live in peace and share with others that change is possible. - Gethin Jones


Thought provoking. - Gabriel Oluseyi Akinyemi

Pastor Grant, I see you have a prison ministry so you work with many people who need to accept their circumstances and move forward. I also agree with your presupposition within the article. I was in a traumatic accident. And you also give illustrations of traumatic events within your article that no one would desire. ...I have found it is very hard to push through the muck that comes with trauma to hear from God. Some therapist believe that God speaks to the left side of the brain (I don't know). Some doctors believe that chronic pain and emotional pain is felt in the same region of the left side of the brain (I don't know). Without trying to make excuses, I feel trauma makes it extremely hard to lift your eyes off of self and up to God. I can say for me, I had to go through the full cycle of grief and no one could help me get through the cycle faster than I went. But, because I was grounded in God's Word, I learned things I would have never learned without the trauma. I hate I'm having to live through it to learn these lessons :) Nevertheless, the lessons are there. ...I don't think it is easy to accept the results of truma and move straight to trusting without the the cycle grief. I do understand this makes me a Extra Grace Required (EGR) person. :) Blessings in your ministry! - Tommy Bitner

Love this! - Lisa Lynn

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a parable. The point that Jesus was making was that we need to love our enemies. In that culture, the religious groups were good examples of people who had different religious ideas. Jesus was trying to show the people that he was bringing salvation for everyone. The amount of God's love is the same for everyone regardless of their religious works. If Jesus were to give that illustration today, it might be called the Parable of the Good Baptist, Good Methodist, Good Presbyterian, or Good Catholic. We are supposed to care for the needy people because God loves them as much as he loves me. - Ronald Pickard

Needed to read this today... with pending unemployment and a child suffering through the throws of addiction... I need to keep the focus on God's bigger picture... that their is purpose to all that is happening.... - Thomas Denzler

The interesting thing about imprisonment is that we can experience it because we care for some one we love. suddenly, our time, our choices, our finances our today's and tomorrows are usurped. In America, we often enjoy our independent plans and dreams for a season, but suddenly we find ourselves reversed. We are stuck in a house we cannot afford and cannot sell and nothing looks like it was intended to look. In this season of mine, I am trying to that thank God for everything, just as it is. just as we are told to do. In my returning of thanks, I gain new perspective. A certain irony of God's humor and leveling power, and tenderness overtakes me. If I am honest, these are the days that I treat others with the mind and hands of God. I become one of them. I becomes we. No better. No worse. In need of God and bearing the image of God in one precious bowl. - Laura Bartnick

Laura, beautifully said: "If I am honest, these are the days that I treat others with the mind and hands of God. I become one of them. I becomes we. No better. No worse. In need of God and bearing the image of God in one precious bowl." Thank you for sharing. For me, each day (though not all day) I practice treating others with what I imagine (or channel) and/or express authentically to others via the hearts. Kindness. Presence. Openness. etc. -  Robert Bridges





 

__________


Donations

We are grateful for all donations this past year to our Ministries. These donations enable us to grow, reach out and serve this community for which there is far too little understanding, compassion, empathy and accurate information.  Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc. is a CT Religious Corp. with 501c3 status -


https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=R6XKLHXQJ6YJY

all donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. We hope you will consider making a donation to our appeal this year.  Donations can be made by credit card/PayPal here, at the "Donate" button on on our site, prisonist.org or by sending your check payable to: "Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc." P.O. Box 1232, Weston, Connecticut 06883.  We have enclosed an addressed envelope for your use. Thank you.

__________ 
 

If you, a friend or a family member are experiencing a white-collar or nonviolent incarceration issue, please contact us and we will promptly send you an information package by mail, email or via Dropbox.

The darkest days of a person's life can be a

time of renewal and hope

__________


Progressive Prison Project/  
Innocent Spouse & Children Project

Rev. Jeff Grant, JD, M Div, Minister/Director
jgrant@prisonist.org
(o) 203-769-1096
(m) 203-339-5887
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In
Pinterest
Google+



Lynn Springer, Founding Advocate, Innocent Spouse & Children Project
lspringer@prisonist.org

(203) 536-5508


George Bresnan, Advocate, Ex-Pats
gbresnan@prisonist.org
(203) 609-5088

Jim Gabal, Development
jgabal@prisonist.org
(203) 858-2865

Babz Rawls Ivy, Media Contact
mediababz@gmail.com

Sunday, April 24, 2016

National Reentry Week Conference at Ray Brook FCI - Mon. April 24th - Fri. April 29th

Prisonist.org: Faith & Dignity 
for the Days Ahead
Blogs, Guest Blogs & News 


National Reentry Week Conference
at Ray Brook FCI


Mon. April 25th - Fri. April 29th 

Having spent 13 1/2 months in a Federal prison 
for a white-collar crime, I am so pleased 
about this important event and its world-renowned
 presenters sponsored by the Federal Bureau of 
Prisons and the Ray Brook Reentry Initiative. - Jeff 





__________

Donations

We are grateful for all donations this past year to our Ministries. These donations enable us to grow, reach out and serve this community for which there is far too little understanding, compassion, empathy and accurate information.  Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc. is a CT Religious Corp. with 501c3 status -

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=R6XKLHXQJ6YJY

all donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. We hope you will consider making a donation to our appeal this year.  Donations can be made by credit card/PayPal here, at the "Donate" button on on our site, prisonist.org or by sending your check payable to: "Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc." P.O. Box 1232, Weston, Connecticut 06883.  We have enclosed an addressed envelope for your use. Thank you.
__________ 
 

If you, a friend or a family member are experiencing a white-collar or nonviolent incarceration issue, please contact us and we will promptly send you an information package by mail, email or via Dropbox.

The darkest days of a person's life can be a

time of renewal and hope

__________


Progressive Prison Project/  
Innocent Spouse & Children Project

Rev. Jeff Grant, JD, M Div, Minister/Director
jgrant@prisonist.org
(o) 203-769-1096
(m) 203-339-5887
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In
Pinterest
Google+


Lynn Springer, Founding Advocate, Innocent Spouse & Children Project
lspringer@prisonist.org

(203) 536-5508

George Bresnan, Advocate, Ex-Pats
gbresnan@prisonist.org
(203) 609-5088

Jim Gabal, Development
jgabal@prisonist.org
(203) 858-2865

Babz Rawls Ivy, Media Contact
mediababz@gmail.com

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Fifth Letter from Prison, by Lee Gutierrez, Guest Blogger: A New Light Shining



Prisonist.org: Faith & Dignity 
for the Days Ahead
Blogs, Guest Blogs & News


Fifth Letter from Prison: 
A New Light Shining

by Lee Gutierrez, Guest Blogger



This is the fifth letter of Lee's from prison 
that we're publishing with his permission.   
He wrote it from from a new
 prison, during which transfer we were unable to communicate. Lee's first four letters were among the most read posts ever 
on prisonist.org:



Dear Jeff, 

YES, yes, 'Houston we have contact!" Your response to XXX's email was appreciated.  I really didn't expect to hear from you. It's comforting to know I am still in your thoughts....

Wow, I've been incarcerated for 2 years, 7 months, time is passing. This weekend my son [almost 3 years old] is coming for a visit, my folks are coming North now that spring has arrived. I haven't seen his angelic face in 6 weeks, I can't wait.  He is growing in leaps and bounds, he has my heart. 

In September of last year my transfer went through.  I dropped down to a medium classification in July, 2015 but they wouldn't confirm it. In late August there was a gang war, in two days there were seven cuttings.   We were in lock-down for a week.  Once lock-down was over, they shipped about 30 inmates out at once.  "The place that has no name" is a horrific place.  Murders, cuttings, suicide, overdoses, 5 dead in one year, all hidden from the public. There is a hell on earth. 

I have so much emotion within me, so much fear, anger and resentment. That leg of my journey may be past me, but the emotion scares linger...damage has been done, I don't know if it will ever heal. There is so much pain inside that needs to come out, to be expelled from my spirit, to be shared with others.  I have no time now to focus on this task...

My Appeal, what a challenge... [redacted]

Currently to keep my mind busy I enrolled into a certificate course of Paralegal studies.  Studying law and researching the case has piqued my interest.  I plan to send an updated resume to law firms in Manhattan and Long Island... If you have any thoughts on this subject, that would be appreciated. 

Jeff, I am in good spirits, my Lord is providing strength and hope. He has given me the opportunity to rebuild my relationships, believing that I am loved and needed. I wish all the mates in prison could see the light the way I do. 

Going forward I will be writing down my thoughts again and sending them to you as I perfect them.  You are very kind to say that my articles are still being read. May you and your blessed family have an uplifting spring.  Rejoice in the work you are doing and celebrate life each day.

Your friend, 

Lee 
__________

Donations

We are grateful for all donations this past year to our Ministries. These donations enable us to grow, reach out and serve this community for which there is far too little understanding, compassion, empathy and accurate information.  Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc. is a CT Religious Corp. with 501c3 status -

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=R6XKLHXQJ6YJY

all donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. We hope you will consider making a donation to our appeal this year.  Donations can be made by credit card/PayPal here, at the "Donate" button on on our site, prisonist.org or by sending your check payable to: "Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc." P.O. Box 1232, Weston, Connecticut 06883.  We have enclosed an addressed envelope for your use. Thank you.
__________ 
 

If you, a friend or a family member are experiencing a white-collar or nonviolent incarceration issue, please contact us and we will promptly send you an information package by mail, email or via Dropbox.

The darkest days of a person's life can be a

time of renewal and hope

__________


Progressive Prison Project/  
Innocent Spouse & Children Project

Rev. Jeff Grant, JD, M Div, Minister/Director
jgrant@prisonist.org
(o) 203-769-1096
(m) 203-339-5887
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In
Pinterest
Google+



Lynn Springer, Founding Advocate, Innocent Spouse & Children Project
lspringer@prisonist.org

(203) 536-5508


George Bresnan, Advocate, Ex-Pats
gbresnan@prisonist.org
(203) 609-5088

Jim Gabal, Development
jgabal@prisonist.org
(203) 858-2865

Babz Rawls Ivy, Media Contact
mediababz@gmail.com
 
 

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Prisonist.org: 2015 Report/Spring 2016 Appeal.

Prisonist.org: Faith & Dignity 
for the Days Ahead
Blogs, Guest Blogs & News 
 
Prisonist.org:
2015 Report/Spring 2016 Appeal
 
https://www.facebook.com/Real-Life-Real-Faith-Men-of-Faith-Magazine-1521043664885035/
Coming May 2016: Men of Faith
Cover Story


Dear Friends,

We hope this finds you well.  Thank you for your generosity and support in the past year.

2015 was a year of blessings and challenges in our ministry and lives.  We had a year of significant growth and meaningful outreach, and, too, Jeff was ill but has since recovered. Some highlights from the beginning of 2015 to date:

Speaking Engagements, Sermons, 
Articles and Interviews

Upcoming: Bridgeport Reentry Collaborative, Professional of the Year Award, April 29, 2016, Bridgeport, CT
 

Upcoming: Men of Faith Magazine, May/June 2016 Issue, Cover Story, New York, NY

The Hour, “Ministry Counsels People Who Committed White Collar Crimes,” Subject of Article, Norwalk, CT
 

Weston Kiwanis, Speakers, Weston, CT
 

Weston Forum, “Kiwanis Talk: Aftermath of White-Collar Crime,” Subject of Article, Weston, CT

Christ & Holy Trinity Church, Good Friday Sermon, Westport, CT
 

Emanuel Episcopal Church, Sermon, Weston, CT
 

Inc., “What Successful Entrepreneurs and Successful Criminals Have in Common,” , Subject of Article, New York, NY
 

Greenwich Sentinel, “A Worldly Fall, A Spiritual Ascent,” Subject of Article, Greenwich, CT
 

The Lisa Wexler Show, WGCH 1490 AM Greenwich CT, Radio Interview with Lisa Wexler, Greenwich, CT

LoveTalk, WNHH 103.5 FM New Haven CT, , Radio Interview with Babz Rawls Ivy, New Haven, CT

Making Rain, “White-Collar Criminality, Addiction and the Entrepreneur,” Subject of Article, New Rochelle, NY
 

The Vision, the Newspaper of the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, “White-Collar Ministry: From Riches-to-Rags-to-Redemption,” Article Author, New York, NY
 

Darby & Friends, WGCH 1490 AM Greenwich CT, Radio Interview with Darby Cartun, Greenwich, CT
 

Ready For Freedom?, Life After Prison In Connecticut, Speaker, Hartford Library, Hartford, CT
 

Bridgeport Reentry Collaborative, Bridgeport Reentry Advocate of the Year Award 2015, Bridgeport, CT
 

Greenwich Time, “Group Offers Help to Innocent Families,” Subject of Article, Greenwich, CT

The Brick Church Prison Ministry, Presenter, New York, NY
 

Podcast Interview with Michael Santos, Orange County, CA
 

Norfield Congregational Church, Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday Sermon, Weston, CT
 


Pastoral Care & Outreach

Direct Care to Individuals Accused or Convicted:  59

Direct care to Spouses & Families:  30 (does not include children or extended family members)

States of Service, Residence and/or Incarceration: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Virginia, Washington



We Received a Significant Grant to
Provide Assistance for Struggling Families
 
 
We are so grateful to the American Baptist Churches USA for awarding us a $2000 grant to provide one-time stipends to individuals or families with white-collar or nonviolent incarceration issues to be used for short-term expenses. Please feel free to email us if you require assistance. The funds will be administered by Jeff's Supervising Minister, Rev. Hopeton Scott of the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport.  Click here for more information.  


Donations
 
We are grateful for all donations this past year to our Ministries. These donations enable us to grow, reach out and serve this community for which there is far too little understanding, compassion, empathy and accurate information.  Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc. is a CT Religious Corp. with 501c3 status -

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=R6XKLHXQJ6YJY

all donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. We hope you will consider making a donation to our appeal this year.  Donations can be made by credit card/PayPal here, at the "Donate" button on on our site, prisonist.org or by sending your check payable to: "Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc." P.O. Box 1232, Weston, Connecticut 06883.  We have enclosed an addressed envelope for your use. Thank you.


Service

If you, a friend or a family member are experiencing a white-collar or nonviolent incarceration issue, please contact us and we will promptly send you an information package by mail, email or via Dropbox. The darkest days of a person's life can be a time of renewal and hope. We are here to listen, help and provide coping and healing solutions.

Thank you again for your generosity and support.

Blessings, כן, מאוד

Jeff & Lynn

____________________

 

If you, a friend or a family member are experiencing a white-collar or nonviolent incarceration issue, please contact us and we will promptly send you an information package by mail, email or via Dropbox.

The darkest days of a person's life can be a
time of renewal and hope
__________

Progressive Prison Project/  
Innocent Spouse & Children Project

Rev. Jeff Grant, JD, M Div, Minister/Director
jgrant@prisonist.org
(o) 203-769-1096
(m) 203-339-5887
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In
Pinterest
Google+

Lynn Springer, Founding Advocate, Innocent Spouse & Children Project
lspringer@prisonist.org
(203) 536-5508

George Bresnan, Advocate, Ex-Pats
gbresnan@prisonist.org
(203) 609-5088

Jim Gabal, Development
jgabal@prisonist.org
(203) 858-2865

Babz Rawls Ivy, Media Contact
mediababz@gmail.com



Friday, April 1, 2016

Prisonist.org: April '16 Newsletter



Prisonist.org: Faith & Dignity 
for the Days Ahead
Blogs, Guest Blogs & News

Prisonist.org: 
April '16 Newsletter

Op-Ed to Gov. Malloy, 
ABCUSA Grant for Struggling Families, 
The Norwalk Hour, Family ReEntry, 
Grace Farms, The Nantucket Project, 
Christ & Holy Trinity Westport, 
Weston Kiwanis, More...



From: Rev. Jeff Grant, Director, Lynn Springer, Founding Advocate
Progressive Prison Project/Innocent Spouse & Children Project
Prisonist.org: April '16 Newsletter 


Op-Ed: To CT Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Our CT State Legislators  

To read Jeff's Op-Ed responding to the CT's Plan to Cut Funding for Prisoner Reentry, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment, please click here


Grant: ABCUSA Has Awarded Us A Matthew 25 Grant To Help Struggling Families!   

We are so grateful to the American Baptist Churches USA for awarding us a $2000 grant to provide one-time stipends to individuals or families with white-collar or nonviolent incarceration issues to be used for short-term expenses. Please feel free to email us if you require assistance. The funds will be administered by Jeff's Supervising Minister, Rev. Hopeton Scott of the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport.  Click here for more information. 


Event: We spoke at the Weston CT Kiwanis
We are grateful to the Weston Kiwanis for inviting us to speak about faith and dignity at its meeting on Sat., March 26, 2016. Click here to read the article about this event in the Weston Forum.  


Article: Our Ministries Featured in The Hour
To read Jeff Eydt's powerful article for The Hour of March 26, 2016, "Ministry Counsels People Who Committed White-Collar Crimes," please click here.   


Sermon: We Guest Preached on Good Friday at Christ & Holy Trinity, Westport, CT
We were honored to be among seven guest preachers at this special Good Friday service, March 25, 2016.


Upcoming Event: 8 State Re-Entry Reintegration Conference 

Please join us on May 6 & 7, 2016 in Stony Point, NY at this two-day faith-based conference centered on the trauma of incarceration as it relates to jobs, housing and family reintegration. We will be leading a white-collar breakout session. Organized, underwritten and sponsored by the Prison Ministry Network of the Synod of the Northeast of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Information: kent.mckamy@gmail.com. Click here to register. 


Event: Family ReEntry Spring Event At Grace Farms 

Please join us on Fri., June 10, 2016, at Grace Farms, New Canaan, CT, for "An Evening Focused On Advancing Justice In Our Community," to benefit Family ReEntry (Jeff is on the Board of Family ReEntry) and the Connecticut Legal Rights Project.  For information and sponsorship opportunities, please click here or contact Milena Kotara, 203-290-0863, milenakotara@familyreentry.org.

Video: Jeff's Main-Stage Presentation At The Nantucket Project

We are grateful to The Nantucket Project for its continuing support of our ministries. Click here to view Video of Jeff's Main-Stage Presentation. (17:27)

Information Package:   
 

We are the first ministry in the United States created to provide confidential support and counseling to individuals, families and organizations with white-collar and other nonviolent incarceration issues. Please click here for our full information package.


Donations: Thank You For Your Support & Generosity!

We are grateful for all donations made to our ministries. Donations can be made by Credit Card/PayPal or by sending your check payable to:
"Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc." P.O. Box 1232, Weston, Connecticut 06883.  We are a CT Religious Corp. with 501(c)(3) status - all donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.   


Contact Information:  
If transformation and redemption matter to you, a friend or a family member with a white-collar or nonviolent incarceration issue, please contact us and we will promptly send you an information package by mail, email or via Dropbox. The darkest days of a person's life can be a time of renewal and hope.

Prisonist.org: Progressive Prison Project/Innocent Spouse & Children Project are missions of Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc.  
Mailing Address: 
P.O. Box 1232 
Weston, Connecticut 06883 
(o) 203-769-1096
Rev. Jeff Grant, JD, M Div,
Minister/Director
Lynn Springer, Founding Advocate, Innocent Spouses & Children
(m) 203-536-5508
George Bresnan, Advocate, Ex-Pats 
(m) 203-609-5088
Jim Gabal, Development 
(m) 203-858-2865
Babz Rawls Ivy, Media Contact 
(m) 203-645-9278



Faith & Dignity for the Days Ahead