Login with FacebookCORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS CHAPLAINCY
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I was a Board Member & I serve on the CIC board and help raise financial support
Post public compliment
CIC Chaplains make an important contribution to helping encarcerated youth and adults find new direction for their lives, set their priorities in proper perspective, and become mentally prepared to conduct responsible and productive lives once they are released and begin to integrate back into the community.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... Contributing positively to improving the probabilities of successful return of prisoners to the outside. Those who have an active involvement in a church after their release have a much lower rate of recidivism.
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... Seeing the beneficial impact on encarcerated youth.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... Very dedicated and selfless people who want to serve their God by helping those in need.
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... Do much more to assist the prison administration in training prisoners for productive lives after release and working to get them trained for employment and placed into productive work after release.
Ways to make it better!
- My experience would have been better if... I had spent more time in active volunteer assistance.
- If I ran this organization, I would... Continue the program and try to expand it.
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... Maintaining sufficient financial support and volunteers to work inside with prisoners.
- One thing I'd also say is that... These chaplains are there because they want to serve in a difficult and unpopular environment that many would shun; and it is an humbling experience for each chaplain and volunteer.
I was a Board Member & I have ministered to the folks inside and am secretary of the board.
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I have served CIC as both a Board Member and as a volunteer. They offer an affirming ministry of God's love for all God's children. This is a new concept for many of the folks who are incarcerated. I have watched this message change lives as I listen to the stories of the men in chapel, the women in Bible Study and the youth in classes. Not only does this change the lives of the folks inside, but it has changed mine. After working as a volunteer with the chaplains, I have chosen that work as my life work and completed seminary with that goal in mind.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... the life changing goals and actions of those who have been ministered to.
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... It's affirming message that we are all loved by God, no matter what and that message of hopes allows us to change.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... Awesome and committed.
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... Change the world
Ways to make it better!
- My experience would have been better if... there were more chaplains to share the work. These folks are always busy, always in demand.
- If I ran this organization, I would... thank all those who make this work possible.
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... limited chaplain time and money.
- One thing I'd also say is that... the earnestness of all I have met in this organization is touching and gives it an energy of optimism and hope in the face of so many significant challenges, the challenges of the population served, the economic challenges, the bid process every 2 years for the contract which all could be so demoralizing. But everyone rises to the occasion, every time.
I had the opportunity to go on rounds with one of the CIC Chaplains, and the following are some of my thoughts.'I was moved by the neediness of the inmates. One needed just a ‘moment’ of time, another, just a touch, another, a prayer, another one-one- counseling, and others, just to be seen or heard. I was moved by your ability to discern the needs of each. I thought that I was pretty good at time management, and multi-tasking, and I see that you couldn’t survive without those skills. Being compassionate, and spiritual, are absolute requirements. However, one would become overwhelmed without some practical skills. In just one night, I have a much better appreciation for ‘some’ of the activities performed by a full time CIC Chaplain'.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... The services that CIC provides are invaluable. Again, this was ‘just one night’. I was moved by the counseling session with Ricky and trying to ‘follow’ his conversation. In addition to alcohol addiction, attempting to discern what his real needs were, that night. Then we went to the medical area, and you turned in the paperwork, I believe asking for an evaluation? You told them that he was ‘hearing voices’. The Chaplain had planned to distribute books this evening. As we went on rounds, she had the ability to discern and respond to the needs.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... Committed, caring, spiritual, practical, talented.
Ways to make it better!
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... The need for more volunteers and financial resources.
I was a Volunteer & One on one ministry, teach bible study & lead worship services
Post public compliment
I have ministered with CIC for almost 20 years. This work has involved me engaging in one on one ministry, teaching bible study and leading worship services at the S.J. Downtown Jail, Elmwood Jail, Juvenile Hall, James Ranch & the Muriel Wright Center. The opportunity to impact the lives of brothers and sisters who have encountered struggles has been extremely enriching and rewarding. I've found the CIC staff to be loving, caring and dedicated. I would recommend this ministry to any Christian who desires to act on the words of Jesus found in Matthew 25: 34-40.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... the lives of men and women when they are released. Many have come to my church in search of a church home and for ongoing support. It has been wonderful to see lives transformed by God's love & grace.
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... The opportunity to and share the love of God while ministering with the youth, men & women who are incarcerated.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... dedicated, faithfull and loving.
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... - Hire more staff - secure more resources/materials for ministry - simplify the clerical complexities - expand the ministry and touch more lives in a more significant way - develop a more sound after care (follow up program)
Ways to make it better!
- My experience would have been better if... the clearance process was shorted and simplified.
- If I ran this organization, I would... try to simplify the clearance process for new volunteers.
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... Funding and securing more committed volunteers.
- One thing I'd also say is that... the current staff is loving and dedicated.
I have been volunteering with CIC for 3 and a half years. I volunteer leading a bible study in a unit for violent youth offenders each Tuesday night. The guys who come have made some very bad choices and are open to turning their life around.
I recently joined the board of directors. The staff of CIC is very hard working and care greatly for those they are serving.
The Great!
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... The staff of CIC is dedicated and caring.
Ways to make it better!
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... The biggest challenges facing the organization are tight budgets and an oppressive work environment. Prisons, as you can imagine, are designed to break the spirit more than to uplift it. It takes truly dedicated people to bring hope into an environment where over half the people are dealing with mental illness and substance abuse issues.