English is a Funny Language

English is a funny language. There's a world of difference between "going to jail" and "going to the jail." You see, I "go to the jail" twice a week to offer parenting programs. Oddly enough, it's one of the things I enjoy most about my job. The men and women I meet at the jail come to my class voluntarily, so they tend to be interested, involved, and they are some of the most appreciative people I have ever met. Mind you, I wouldn't want to stay locked up, but so far, the sentries have always let me out, so it's all good.

Back to enjoying my job. "Enjoy" isn't the right word, is it? I should have said "rewarding." It's a painful time for most of them--sometimes it's the first time they've ever been away from their children. Often they feel horrible about the effect a bad decision has had on their families, especially when an addiction is involved. And I'd bet addiction to alcohol or other drugs is involved about 80% of the time, even though the charge may not involve substance abuse. (I asked a deputy and a jail social worker to guess, too, and all 3 of us came up with 80% on the nose.)

I ask parents at the jail to fill out a short survey at the end of the workshop. One of the questions is "Because of this workshop, I plan to __________________________________." Here are a few of the answers I've gotten in the last month:

• "Talk differently to my children."
• "Change how I handle issues that arise daily in our home."
• "Be a better parent."
• "Watch my words."
• "Use the tools I learned."
• "Keep my son as a priority."
• "Positive environment, specific encouragement."
• "Be there." (Especially meaningful for someone in jail.)

And my personal favorite: "Keep going. I love it."

You don't have to go to jail to attend parenting classes. All our programs are free, although they require a reservation. We normally schedule classes on Mondays, 6-8 PM; Tuesdays, 10 AM-noon; and by appointment at other times. For example, temporarily we have a class on Thursdays 4:30-6:30 PM to accommodate a dad's schedule.

As one dad in jail said: "Be there!" But remember to call me first at 788-0300 to make a reservation. (If there's not enough registration, we may not meet.) You can also call me if you'd like to volunteer to work with parents.

--Judith Allee

Parent Support Coordinator

Compeer Joins National Call to Service

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?”
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In celebration of the life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the members of the MHA Compeer program will be participating in a community service project at their January meetings, January 19--the day after the MLK, Jr. Day holiday--and January 27, 2010.

Compeer is a social integration and wellness program that matches individuals who have experienced mental illness with community volunteers who serve in one-to-one friendship matches.

Serving Through Example
Compeer members and volunteers will be learning about the teachings and life of Reverend King, as they prepare a project to be donated to the local Salvation Army Shelter. Some of the Compeer program participants have utilized the services of the Salvation Army’s Food Bank and Shelter in the past, and wish to give back to the community.

Members will be assembling “welcome packets” for new residents of the 18-bed temporary shelter, which will contain uplifting messages and donated personal care products. Kay Hartman, Volunteer Coordinator of the Salvation Army, says that many residents arrive at the shelter with nothing, not even a toothbrush. Compeer Members hope to reduce the emotional stress of living in temporary housing by providing the guests with comfort items of their own.

Dr. King’s Message of Hope
Dr. King’s concept of “somebodiness,” which symbolized the celebration of human worth and the conquest of subjugation, gave people of color and poor people hope and a sense of dignity. His philosophy of nonviolent direct action, and his strategies for rational and non-destructive social change, galvanized the conscience of this nation and reordered its priorities. His wisdom, his words, his actions, his commitment, and his dream for a new way of life are intertwined with the American experience.

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort.

Taking place each year in January, the King Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” The King Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, addresses social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

Dr. King recognized the power of service to strengthen communities and achieve common goals. Service is integral to meeting national challenges such as poverty, economic insecurity, illiteracy, hunger, and more.

How You Can Get Involved
If you, or your family or organization, would like to join in the King Day of Service this year, go to MLKDAY.gov for more information, or contact your favorite local service organization and offer your assistance. Many Projects are taking place throughout the month.

--Kristen Frame

Compeer Coordinator