Compassion In Action Inc,
"Embracing the Person--Rebuilding the Family--Breaking the Cycle"
Compassion In Action is a faith based organization with a holistic approach toward family restoration for persons incarcerated, through a successful transition process.
Pre-Release Education and Reentry Preparation is provided prior to release from prison
· To Embrace the person…
· To establish relationships..
· To build trust, encourage and support
· To educate in personal development, parental education awareness and spiritual empowerment
CIA focuses on each person as a valued individual in the eyes of God and assists in self-exploration, personal development and spiritual awareness. Participants are challenged to discover their won strengths, challenges, unidentified feelings, childhood issues and emotional wounds that may have scared their vision for a productive, successful future.
Rebuilding the Family… CIA recruits and trains volunteers to embrace the children and their caregivers to help bring healing and eventual reconciliation with the incarcerated parent upon release from prison. The Volunteer support families interact with the children during mom’s absence from home. They include them in family activities, outings and attend school functions and special events on behalf of the incarcerated parent.
Breaking the Cycle….The CIA “All the Way” Transitional Home provides continued reentry and transitional support services that will assist participants with a successful reentry back into the community. The complete transition process ranges from 3 to 6 years before support services are determined completed.
· Self-Exploration & Development
· Community Service
· Spiritual Mentoring · Drug Treatment & Relapse Prevention · Job Training & Employment Referrals · Career Development · YMCA Membership Participation Phase III—Family Reconstruction · Personal & Family Counseling · Mental health · Family Reconstruction Phase IV—Community Reestablishment · Tutoring & Advanced Education · Community Re-establishment · Long Term Personal & Family Support
Phase II—Transition
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Family-entire family agree together to embrace the children of a CIA participant and interact with them in support of their caregiver during the absence of mom. Transport children to regular visits with Mom; periodic visits to school or participation in school projects; include CIA children in family recreation and activities; write mom to keep her informed of interaction w/children; provide respite for guardian.
Sister-To-Sister Leadership Program—interact with young girls from the ages of 8-18 in an after school program and participant in STS activities and special events. Assist in developing the spiritual development educational material and provide resources for arts/crafts, social activities and church events.
Child Mentor-Volunteer to interact with a child or family whose mother is incarcerated, on a regular basis as a “friend” or spiritual tutor. Involve them with your home church activities etc.
Adult Mentor-Support a CIA participant during transition from prison by keeping periodic contact with them and determine areas of specific needs. Assist with new community involvement and environment.
Pen Pals-Write to CIA participants on a regular basis for spiritual, emotional and mental support and encouragement. Connect them with literature that would be spiritually beneficial.
Career Workshops-Professionals who volunteer their time to assist a CIA participant in developing and initiating career goals.
Transportation-Provide transportation to employment application and interviews, to AA, CA meetings, church etc., Also drivers are needed to transport STS members for the after school program.
Intercessory Prayer-Keep abreast of specific areas on need for prayer regarding the ministry of CIA in general, individual crisis, vision for expansion, immediate needs, spiritual warfare, deliverance and breaking through of demonic strongholds.
House & Yard Maintenance-Yard work and office cleaning year around, specific plumbing, electric and home maintenance needs.
Donations Needed At All Times:
· Paper Products (toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, plates, cups, napkins, plastic) cleaning products, dish soap, laundry detergent. · Bed linens (twin size beds) towels, pillows, pillow cases, towels, wash clothes · Ladies’ clothing, accessories, personal hygiene products, shampoo, conditioner,
