Invitation: “Just visiting,” a workshop on jail volunteering
A press release for publication near April 22
For information, contact Chris Dornin, 228-9610 or cldornin@aol.com
How do you volunteer at a house of corrections? What are the risks in helping prisoners keep their sanity and religious faith? What do you say to immigrants fighting deportation in a county jail? Why are people of color far more likely to go to jail than whites?
Five experts will answer these and other questions on April 28 at a workshop on jail volunteering entitled, “Just Visiting.” The free program runs from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Concord. Co-sponsors are the NH Council of Churches and the Reconciliation Commission and the Prison Concerns Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire.
Maggie Fogarty of the American Friends Service Committee will describe issues related to immigrant detention and the work of the NH Immigrant Visitation Program at the Strafford County Jail in Dover. She will also share opportunities to provide support for detained persons, including as volunteer visitors.
Atty. Ron Abramson of Manchester represents clients fighting deportation. He will explain how to help these people too.
R.N. Van Winkler and Erica Nye of Cheshire County Jail, Kara Wyman of Merrimack County Jail, and Keith Gray and Tamara McGonagle of Belknap County Jail will recruit volunteers to work with men and women under similar stress.
Chariman's Note: CCJR is happy to post information on this workshop sponsored by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Concord and the NH Council of Churches and the Reconciliation Commission and the Prison Concerns Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. These are separate organizations that are autonomous groups of diverse structure with no legal connection to CCJR. While we acknowledge some areas of common purpose, the workshop, materials, presenters and practices may or may not be entirely in agreement with CCJR polices and mission. (Dr. Bob)