WNCMusings

Thurs, Fri, Sat, June 21,22,23

Thursday
Met today with assistant supervisor of programs and program director of the Marion Correctional Center, a maximum security facility with over 400 inmates.
After briefly sharing the "big picture" of Hope for Miami, I explained what a partnership might look like between the Center and "Hope for the Carolinas/Hope for Families of Inmates". They expressed interest in developing with us visits of children with incarcerated dads as well as the possibility of mentoring of these kids. Said I should connect to the Regional Director for Programs based in the nearby-town of Lenoir.

Friday
Same deal as yesterday. Met with the administrator of the Buncombe Correctional Center as well as the Regional Director of Programs mentioned above. Great time. Lots of good inter-change, listening and asking/answering questions.
What it all may mean: It was pretty clear that both Marion and Buncombe Centers are interested in pursuing some sort of partnership. Ball is in the Regional Director's hands. He's going to pass along all the info I've given them over the last month, plus the collateral I gave him to the folks in Raleigh who call the shots. IF there seems to be interest in talking further, next steps might mean my return with Hope for Miami staff to begin putting a plan in place and what I mentioned on the first page of this blog.
FYI: The State of NC is in the process of re-thinking and re-vamping "all-things corrections". If you get a notion, check out the summary of the Justice Reinvestment Act. As each of those I met with opined, "this could really be ideal timing for some sort of collaboration".
My Take on all this: Nothing I have seen so far suggests to me that the Lord is closing doors on some sort of involvement within the prisons, the children and caregivers, volunteers, and community at-large.
This coming week's activities:
I've lined up meetings with the pastor of a key church where my friend who will be point person on much of this attends. It is hoped that we will get to know each other, discuss the vision/mission of each entity and forge a ministry partnership around "families of inmates". My friend feels strongly that other churches and individuals will catch the vision and get on board.Time will tell...

I'm also connecting to a "referral" who is part of a "shalom-sounding" initiative that has just gotten underway. He's involved in Dept of Corrections matters. We shall see.
Also, I hope to attend the monthly meeting of the Buncombe Correctional Center's Community Resource Council. (Each Center is required to have one of these) In my initial outreach to the Centers, I was helped greatly by a gentleman who is involved in Kairos, a ministry to prisons. He was the president of this CRC for years and I look forward to meeting him. He is well respected by everyone I've talked to.

AIN'T NETWORKING FUN??

PLEASE PRAY: For follow-up to all this...

For favorable response from "powers-that-be" on the State-level to beginning a journey of caring for "the least of these", children and families impacted by crime.
For my time with the pastor whose congregation is poised to take an exciting journey (it is hoped) of ministry to "our kids". That he'll catch the vision and help mobilize (as Hope for the Carolinas equips and trains) the resources and members of his congregation.
For the many other contacts I've yet to make, which I'm not even mentioning!

Saturday

Fun day today...