From: "christopher vaughn" <chrisvaughn@uicalumni.org>
To: <frednance@clickservices.org>
Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2007 15:31:35 -0700
Subject: Re: Just A Word On Social ResponsibilityRev. Christopher M. Vaughn,Here in Illinois there are approximately 35,000 men and women on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections. Many of these men and women are working to reclaim their lives, reclaim their futures, here in the community amongst us. They are out looking for work, seeking safe and stable living situations, trying to reconnect with their loved ones. Most of these formerly incarcerated men and women are taking life one day at a time, because that is the only way they know how to live it. How can we, as a concerned community, help these ex-offenders help themselves? Do we have a duty to help? Is it not merely a question of doing the right thing? What is the socially responsible thing to do? Most people never even think about this subject, but it is an issue that effects us all.Most of the individuals currently held in the Illinois Department of Corrections have cases that are in some way connected to the ever pervasive problem of drugs in our communities. Many ex-offenders either we active participants in the selling of narcotics, or they committed crimes to get the money to support their drug habits, or both. Others were simply trapped in a socio-economic reality that made turning to a life of crime seem like the only means to survive. Lack of education, employment opportunities, and access to all the other resources that make life more comfortable and meaningful were simple out of reach. What can be done to help these men and women make better choices for themselves? Is there anything that can be done to help these formerly incarcerated men and women have brighter futures, as they leave their dark past? Yes, there is something you can do, and there is a place were you can do it.St. Leonard's Ministries is a 53 year old program serving the needs of the formerly incarcerated. We are working everyday to help ex-offenders rebuild their lives, and work toward rebuilding their futures. St. Leonard's House houses 40 men, all of whom are on parole. The residents of St. Leonard's are provided with housing, on-site counseling, access to vocational training, educational programs, employment readiness training and assistance, and post-program housing placement assistance, as well. St. Andrew's Court is our 42 unit housing complex that offers second-stage housing for the residents of St. Leonard's House, as they continue to work to a level of self-suffiency. Grace House is our 18 bed facility for formerly incarcerated women. The women of Grace House are given a wide array of services and programming to help facilitate their successful transition back into the community. The Michael Barlow Center is the location of our vocational training programs, our adult high school and other adult basic education programs, our computer education program, and our employment assistance programs. We try to offer as many programs and services as possible to help promote the successful transition of the formerly incarcerated back into the community. We want everyone to have a chance to rebuild their lives.St. Leonard's Ministries is an agency of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, and a United Way partner agency. We are fortunate to have support and funding from a variety of sources, but there is always a need for more. I cannot express the importance of having little things like tooth paste, tooth brushes, deodorant, and other personal hygiene items. We never have enough transit passes to offer the residents to facilitate their job searches, or for them to make it to work until they can afford to pay their own way.We can always use suits, dress shirts, and ties, for the residents to aid them in look professional for their job searches and interviews. As the seasons change we can never have enough winter coats for the residents. Believe me when I say that every little bit helps. We are trying to do all that we can to help those whom cannot help themselves have their basic needs met. If they are serious about transforming their lives, then we want to give them the tools, skills, and resources to do just that. If you can't offer any material items to our effort there is still something that you can do. We are always appreciative of any and all volunteer efforts that you can make to the ministry. Guest speakers are always need for our Pathfinders group. Pathfinders is a motivational group that meets every Monday from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, offering words of encouragement to the men of St. Leonard's on their personal efforts to rebuild their lives. Tuesday night offers the Life Skills group, this is where guest come in to share of themselves with the residents. From poetry reading, musical performances, to financial literacy workshops, it's all done on Tuesday evening. Do you think you might be able to help out?If you think you might want to help St. Leonard's in it's efforts to continue to be a resource for the formerly incarcerated, we will gladly accept your assistance. The residents we serve need so much in this time of transition and transformation, but must of all they need the morale and spiritual support of others. We believe that everyone deserves a second chance to get things right, do you think you can play a roll in the effort to help our residents to help themselves?If you would like more information on our program, please visit our web site at http://www.slministries.org/.Also, feel free to contact me at (312) 73-1414 ext. 22. I would love the opportunity to tell you all about the mission of St. Leonard's Ministries. I look forward to hearing from you, soon.Sincerely,
Program Director,
St. Leonard's House,
2100 W. Warren Blvd.,
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 738-1414 ext. 22
(312) 738-1417 fax
www.slministries.org
Strong lives are motivated by dynamic purposes
Kenneth Hildebrand
Fred L. Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
Social Policy Analyst
708-921-1395
