CHAPLAIN CHARLIE CORUM
Youthful Offender Resource Network
A project of Pacific Youth Correctional Ministries
"I was in prison and you came to visit me" Matthew 25: 36
Youthful Offender Resource Network
A project of Pacific Youth Correctional Ministries
"I was in prison and you came to visit me" Matthew 25: 36
Charlie's Chaplain Chronicles May 2009
| MINISTRY UPDATES INSIDE NORWALK In January (2008), we began the Adopt-a-unit Meal Program (AMP) at the Southern Youth Correctional Reception Center and Clinic (SYCRCC) in Norwalk. The AMP network of churches and Christian ministries is providing six (6) meals this year (2009) for each of the eight living units at Norwalk. Each church / ministry has "adopted" a unit that they will provide meals and programs for. There are more than 120 volunteers, from eleven different independent and autonomous ministries and the YORN ministry team, participating in the meal project. Those that have adopted living units are; Calvary Baptist Church (Whittier), Center of Truth (Pasadena), Gateway Community Church (Alhambra),Grace Providence Church (Cerritos), Liberty Outreach (Los Angeles), Lighthouse Foursquare Church (Highland Park), Living Proof Prison Ministry (Norwalk), Pilipino Community Church (Baldwin Park), Scattering Seeds Church (Whittier), Second Chance Christian Fellowship (Whittier), Village Baptist Church (Norwalk) and the YORN ministry team. Special thanks go out to the Pilipino Community Church of Baldwin Park who presented "The Sacrifice" as a special Easter drama/musical.. They also performed, as a YORN ministry, at the Dorothy Kirby Juvenile Center which is part of the L. A. County Probation Department. Easter Gift Bags were collected by YORN and given to more than 350 wards at these two facilities. For Mother's Day, cards with stamped envelopes were distributed by YORN at SYCRCC. The YORN ministry has started a third regular night of visitation and Bible study, at Norwalk, on the Cabrillo and Gibbs units on Mondays and Sutter unit on Fridays. More than 80 young men are attending. I am very grateful for the dedicated regular volunteer team at SYCRCC which includes; Melissa Durley, Jose Ramirez, Joe Rios, Salvadoer Sainz, Sam Smotherman, Jaime Tricerri and Louie Zaragoza. The volunteer team is made up of individuals, from the YORN ministry team and several different church prison ministries, working together to provide services to DJJ wards. Another thank you goes out to the Mecado Prison Ministry for its dedicated team of volunteers who have been in on several occasions providing intervention and inspiration at Norwalk. INSIDE CHINO The regular volunteer team at the Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility includes; Cynthia Eadmon, Mike Erickson, Sarah Ganioco, and Robert Jimenez. The volunteer team is made up of individuals, from the YORN ministry team and several different church prison ministries, working together to provide services to DJJ wards. The team is providing regular chapel services for the C & D living unit at Chino on Tuesday nights. On Thursday evenings at Chino the YORN ministry team (Mike, Victor, Phil) and I conduct a Pre Parole Class that includes 15 wards who are preparing for parole who meet once a week for six (6) weeks. The class provides guideance and assistance in understanding and setting goals to be successful on parole. The class covers residential, personal, educational, vocational, social and spiritual resources and goal setting. Wards who choose, will be matched wit h a mentor who will assist them with their goals once they parole. INSIDE CAMARILLO In Camarillo, I visit the DJJ Sylvester Caraway Fire Camp. Volunteer Bill Buskirk assists me with a group of 10 to 15 wards at our Bible study fellowship on Sunday evenings. I continue to work alongside Rosalinda Vint and her ministry, Women of Integrity, Men of Honor, Inc.. Rosalinda and her team provide many awesome ministries to the female and male wards at Camarillo and elsewhere. Together, we provide parole assistance with clothing and resources. OUTSIDE WITH PAROLEES YORN, on request, provides motivational speakers for churches and public schools. Three of our young men (Raul, Robert and Gregory) facilitated a social skills prevention program at Roger Temple Intermediate School in Rosemead this Spring. The six week program called "Choices" offers junior high students an opportunity to hear young men, who have stopped gangs, address anti social and at risk behavior. The ministry is continually able to help new parolees with $150 clothing scholarships as needed throughout the year. Ronnie and Myrna Hesseltine, this past year, have opened the House of Hope in Whittier for young men, out of the DJJ, on parole. At the YORN Ministry Dinner in Janaury, more than 240 people gathered to praise the Lord for the past year's testimonies of God's goodness and grace. Twelve $250 re-entry scholarships were given out to youth on parole. Our guest speaker was Superintnedent Cassandra Stansberry (Norwalk DJJ) and music was provided by Shofar. |
F. A. C. T. S. Families to Amend California's Three Strikes "Let the time fit the crime" More than 4,400 men and women are serving life sentences for non-violent crimes at a cost of more than $1 billion. FOR MORE INFORMATION; Go to www.facts1.com I am a member of the El Monte chapter of F.A.C.T.S. that meets. on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7PM New Hope Community Church 3041 N Peck Rd El Monte, CA 91731 CURRENT LEGISLATIVE CONCERNS SB 399 has been introduced by state senator Leland Yee to eliminate "life without the possibility of parole" for minors sentenced as adults in California. I support this bill. The United States is the only country in the world to sentence youth to life without the possibility of parole. SB 399 would provide these youths the possibility of obtaining a lesser sentence through a review of their case Pray for and get involved by letting your elected leaders hear your voice! For more, go to; www.fairsentencingforyouth.org |
