by Melissa Bee | Feb 21, 2016 | From the Staff
I was honored to be invited to speak at our local Kiwanis Club about Adopt an Inmate earlier this month. Kiwanis club members stage nearly 150,000 service projects and raise nearly $100 million every year for communities, families and projects.
Items brought to share with the members, as seen below, included inmate artwork, books written by current and former inmates that we correspond and/or work with, a week’s worth of mail (in the green basket, 243 letters that week), and some handmade crocheted items by inmates in Oregon involved in the Crochet for Community program (more on that in a future blog post).
We look forward to more opportunities to share our story, and thank the Fern Ridge Kiwanis Club for their invitation.
by Melissa Bee | Feb 20, 2016 | From the Inside
This is exactly why we do this.
by Melissa Bee | Feb 19, 2016 | From the Staff
Our blog has been in a quiet period for some time, while we focused on other tasks, but we’re back, and you can expect a regular stream of interesting, poignant and informative posts.
We’ll be sharing news about exciting projects and events that are in the planning stages and we couldn’t be more positive and excited about what is in store this year.
Thank you to all of our adopters for stepping up to provide support for inmates who desperately need it, to the volunteers who have so graciously been assisting behind the scenes with the business side of things, and to all the angels who donate stamps – we *always* need stamps!
Also a big thank you to all our followers for staying with us, for sharing our links and social media accounts, and for getting involved in the conversation.
We are so grateful.
by Martin Lockett | Jan 8, 2016 | Inmate Contributors
No doubt, perhaps the highlight of any inmate’s day, week, or month is when his/her name is called for a visit. This is the time (in most prisons, I believe) when inmates are able to finally have the much needed physical contact with the people who mean the most to us. The brief hug and kiss we are allowed at the beginning and end can of the visit can be enough to sustain us for an entire month. It is a time of jubilant conversation and unbridled joy that, for moments throughout, can allow us to “forget” where we are. Ah, yes, the coveted visit. But what about when it comes time to say goodbye to friends and family? What is the impact of this part of the experience?
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by Melissa Bee | Jan 3, 2016 | From the Staff
This publication was created for you â family members, friends, and advocates of prisoners. In each issue you will find useful resources for and from inmates; artwork, stories, recommendations from both adopters and adoptees; and news from the staff. Donât forget to print and send a copy to your inmate loved one. We welcome your feedback and comments.
Enter your email in the sidebar to the right and receive each new issue in your email.
Click on image below for full PDF.
by Melissa Bee | Dec 16, 2015 | From the Staff, News
Fern Ridge Review December 16, 2015
A new non-profit taking on a life of its own
Nice piece in the Fern Ridge Review, with possible follow-up article in the future. Click below for PDF with text.
Minor corrections to article:
- Rick is Executive Director, Melissa is She-EO
- Negative comments have appeared only on the Facebook page, never here on the website – you guys are all angels đÂ
Fern Ridge Review Article-12-2015
by Rick Fisk | Dec 14, 2015 | Book Review, Inmate Contributors
We introduced you to our friend Martin Lockett in a previous blog post. We are thrilled to say that Martin will be a regular contributor both here and in our quarterly newsletter. Do yourself a favor and get this book!
ââŚâ
Good people make mistakes. Martin Lockett is a good person who made an error in judgement which resulted in the deaths of two people. But for one red light, Martin might have escaped fate. After reading his memoir it is apparent that Lockett truly regrets the loss of life he caused but embraces his fate and his punishment without regret.
In Palpable Irony: Losing My Freedom to Find my Purpose, Lockett describes his journey from a shy, awkward young boy to a young man who falls in with some pretty rough characters just at that pivotal time when heâs coming into his own as an individual. The narrative – not only is it brutally honest, but also very well-written – makes one realize just how thin is that line between social failure and success.
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by Melissa Bee | Dec 1, 2015 | From the Staff
Adopt an Inmate wants to wish all of our followers, volunteers, and adopters a very happy and blessed holiday season.
Our first volunteer day was very successful, and will be a regular event. We made new friends, we processed mail, we noshed, we listened to music, and we even got some people adopted.Â
UPDATE: our waiting list is growing exponentially, with hundreds of forgotten people who are actively seeking friends and mentors to help them get through their time whole. Donations to our YouCaring campaign for postage are always welcome. Physical stamps can be mailed to:
Adopt an Inmate
PO Box 1543
Veneta, OR 97487
by Melissa Bee | Nov 23, 2015 | From the Inside
This artwork was sent in from Timothy in Ohio, who maintains his innocence.
I continue to fight my case on my own and will continue as long as it takes to be a free man again.
by Inmate Contributor | Nov 15, 2015 | C.F. Guyton, Poetry From Prison
Submitted by C.F. Guyton, pictured below with his wife.
I loved you from Day One
And on Day Two I made it my mission
To be wed to you.
As far as Day Three goes
It was signed, sealed and delivered
By angels in the Heavens.
And at Day Four, we’d love fromÂ
Ceiling to floor.
On Day Five, with you
I found what I’d been waiting for.
And on Day Six, we rested.
Just to wake up on Day Seven
To Eternity.
