December 2008
Happy Holidays to Everyone! Well as the year comes to an end we are happy to be ending the year with the upcoming year looking bright.
In the last few months many things had taken place that seemed to be a little overwhelming, but as many know MEEELJ continues to thrive and survive the changes and struggles so that we may provide a much needed resource for this community and hopefully many communities nationally. That having been said we definitely want to welcome our Senior Workers which is part of a new program that MEEELJ partnered with in October. We have been reselected to be a part of the 2009 FedEx Kinko's Classic via the partnering company from Minnesota . That is happening in June, 2009! Also, the organization conducted more than 13 classes this year for youth who had been court mandated to take the MIP Awareness class; with many youth who had attended coming back to do volunteer or community service in our office.
Also, we want to thank those persons who have sent in sponsorships for our upcoming fundraiser that was slated for December but has been set off until the first of the year. We had many things that we participated in within the month of November and December—Austin Community College Diversity Conference, held in Austin . I was a speaker on two different occasions there and it was definitely exhilarating. We attended the 2008 Governors Non Profit Leadership Conference that was held in Houston , Texas . This conference provided valuable information, resources and new acquaintances. TDCJ has expanded the services requested for MEEELJ to provide to the parolees recently being released back into the community. Which is not only exciting for us, but it will definitely be worthwhile for them to be able to receive local assistance for other things besides substance abuse treatment. So, Yes, we are glad for the years struggles because they make us more determined and focused.
Thanks for the donations received this month and last month from many of you who decided to make MEEELJ your charity of choice. We appreciate you. Let's remember there are many that are cheery during this time of year so be supportive of those you know who might be experiencing loneliness due to their loved ones being incarcerated. Until next month, hope you and your families have a safe and prosperous holiday season!
October 2008
It has been some time since I've written updates, but finally after much delay I have a few things to say. We have had many things that have taken place since my last update:
- April 28 th - May 4 th : We were selected to be the non profit agency responsible to work concessions at the FED Ex, Kinko's Golf Classic in Lakeway Texas. This event was just wonderful; the scenery was so plush and serene! We met Fuzzy Zoeller, Ben Crenshaw, Jim Thorpe and so many others. Students from the Lakeway High School completed their community service hours by working with us during this time. We have been invited back next year to be a part of this outstanding event. Thanks to all our many volunteers that worked this event with us: Dean Standifer, Dana Michaud, John & Jonnie Turner, Ada Brown, Cerrissa Bates, Katie Richards, Quione Cooke, Khalif Muhammad, Samirrah Cooke, Karen Ernesse, Katy Marek, Tommy Oates, Alex and Joe Walsh, Blair Turnbull, Kellam Durrett.
Thanks you guys!!
- June 2008 was the month of getting requests together for various funders. Our VISTA project is still in full motion although it is not running at full VISTA Volunteers due to our inability to re-fill our slots. Many of the projects that were earmarked for the VISTAs have been dormant due to personnel not being available to work on the projects.
- July 2008 was our FCG Fundraiser called “First Tuesday”. This event held on the first Tuesday of each month is to donate a percentage of the entire day's sales at that location to benefit a local charity or non-profit agency. They chose MEEELJ for the month of July. We had a great time! Thanks to those persons that not only supported us through dining but also writing personal checks and asking to be volunteers! Thanks to past Board President, Evelyn Jenkins for being there and for your support!
- Our continual thanks to all the employees who are supporters through their payroll contributions: TX Dept of Aging and Disability, Texas Education Agency, TCEQ, GLO, HHSC, Housing and Community Affairs, Library and Archives Commission, TX Dept. of Public Safety, Public Utility Commission, Office of Rural Community Affairs, The University of Texas, University of Texas System, and the Texas Workforce Commission. And finally to all the Federal Employees who have been contributors for the last 2 years.
We have had to fight hard with our County and City about funding which has been a little disheartening. As an organization of people dedicated to the health and well being of others, we will continue to address this while continuing to provide services regardless of the government's support due to the severe need that exists for this population and their families. Unfortunately, our MIP classes have increased which denotes that we have more underage drinking present.
Finally, we are gearing up for our fundraiser and our 4 th Annual Christmas Gift Giveaway. Should be fun!!! That's all for now. Until next month…………….
March 2008
I
must say that the past few months have been so busy that I
haven’t had a moment to breathe and update our viewers about
the happenings at MEEELJ. I took some time off to run for an elected
official position and it was FUN! I met so many people on the
campaign trail that were unaware that an organization like ours
even existed. So, as I was out I fostered new people to donate,
volunteer time and resources to the organization. I also experienced
what I would call the real “baptism” of political
exclusion which further makes me committed to our cause.
Many people see adults who have gone to prison as “unteachable,
not worthy, felons/cons who can never change. Therefore it is
easy to keep them excluded because their labels for their crimes
automatically allow that option to potential employers, landlords,
social services, and etcetera. We must change that! We have program
participants that have successfully completed college, trade schools,
acquired jobs and have not returned back to prison. There are
many that have been picked up on blue warrants for small infractions
and held an inordinate amount of time in the local county jails
until they get through the parole revocation process for these
infractions. Many persons are struggling with addiction because
they are “haunted” by the lifestyle that they’ve
had to be a part of while incarcerated. These are real and unfortunate
for these men and women. Do we believe that criminals should go
unpunished? Not at all. But we do believe redemption and recovery
is paramount once a person is released back to society. And that
release should not take several years for people that do not have
an aggravated crime.
We are preparing for the 2008 FedEx Kinko’s Classic that
we have volunteered for. We once again received support from the
United Way State Employee Charitable Campaign and the Federal
Employees as well. We have increased by 55% our community service
participation via Adult probation. We are seeking additional interns
for the fall. We are still providing our HOPE Adult programming
out at the Del Valle Jail facility, and that proves to be a highlight
for this staff. Working with the people out there (inmates) is
rewarding and educational for all of us involved. You can’t
know until you hear and experience the person that is faced with
the reality of incarceration.
A major thank you to our VISTA, Katie Richards who has definitely
come in and worked diligently to get the Volunteer processes and
procedures up and running as well as the office procedures manual.
Thank you, Katie! Also, to Anne Daylong our webmaster who keeps
up with the things we need to get updated.
Take care and until next time……….
January 2008
Well, well. Happy New Year to all! And a grand New
Year it has thus far proven to be.
MEEELJ ended the year with our Fourth Annual Gift Give-Away that
was sponsored in part by Buck’s Pizza in Bastrop, First
United Methodist of Smithville, Pastor Boehke and congregation,
Don Ellerbee, Toys for Tots, United States Marine Corp Project
and the staff. It was a wonderful time and I believe we had more
toys and gifts for adults than we have ever seen! There were people
who had been our program participants out at the Del Valle Facility
who actually came out and picked up gifts, ate pizza and enjoyed
the festivities.
We welcomed 3 new persons this year to the staff. We will be
profiling those persons later in the month of January. We are
happy to be adding persons who will be helping complete projects
and beginning new things as well as maintaining, revising programs
that are already up and running.
We spent 4 days in Dallas in training with the Department of
Labor in their Performance Results Management Training. From this,
we have obtained a web based data tracking system that we will
be utilizing for our Del Valle project and the new HYPE Program
for youth. In the past month there have been many projects that
have been dormant that have been revitalized to better serve those
persons who are on probation—not parole.
Our MIP Program has seen an increase in participation to my dismay.
The thing about the Alcohol Awareness program though is that it
always affords the opportunity to discuss with the participants
their goals and aspirations and how those things can be hindered
by bad choices/decisions. Usually, when we complete these classes
we seem to forge a bond with the participants and their parents.
Finally, I made a decision to run for office. It was a rough
decision and everything is going faster and MORE furious than
ever. (smiles) That being said, it all boils down to making decisions
to further advance persons of all walks of life who would like
to be included in the law making process and things that govern
them. Someone has to get out and try to be that voice for the
people and work on the behalf of the needs of our community; that’s
what I’d like to believe I founded MEEELJ for. So, I am
on official leave from the organization during the month of February
so, if you don’t hear from me until after that time, keep
the support coming!
