LFP: There is so much self-worth in me
This is exactly why we do this.
We’re Baaaack!
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.
The Agony of a Visit
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?
AI Newsletter: Winter 2016
This publication was created for you – 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. Don’t 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.
We’re in the Newspaper!
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 🙂
Rick’s Review of Martin Lockett’s Palpable Irony
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!
—♦—
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 he’s 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.
It’s #GivingTuesday!
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.
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
Thank You!
Inmate Art: Parole Denied
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.
Poetry From Prison: I Loved You From… the Start
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 from
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.
Letters From Prison: Be On Purpose
Our friend Shawn is serving his 21st year in a Texas prison for a crime he did not commit. Shawn is one of my personal adoptees, and writes to me often. We also speak on the phone a few times a month. His letters, like the one below, always begin with several motivational quotes. Of all the people who write to us, Shawn is one of the most positive and inspiring. You can read more about Shawn on his website, FREEShawnAli.com.
September 30, 2015
“Nothing in life can take the place of knowing your purpose. If you don’t try to discover your purpose, you’re likely to spend your life doing the wrong things.” -John C. Maxwell
“Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life. Everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he/she cannot be replaced, nor can his/her life be repeated. Thus everyone’s task is as unique as his/her specific opportunity to implement it.” -Viktor Frankl
Good morning. It’s early. I was dreaming again, woke up wide awake and couldn’t go back to sleep. From the moment I woke up, I felt so alive and determined, I could literally feel my mind and spirit inching closer to my destiny. I woke up this morning feeling peace and liberty inside because I know my purpose, and it excites and motivates me to know I’m one day closer to fulfilling the physical manifestations of my purpose. But for now, I have to live for today, Melissa, the little things I do today to prepare and train myself matter, and count towards fulfilling the full potential of my purpose.
I couldn’t stop the tears this morning, they kept falling and flowing as if they were watering my positive mental visualizations and dreams that I reflected on as I thought about my purpose. It didn’t surprise me, when I opened up my Leadership Devotional, that today’s reading was titled “Be On Purpose,” and it’s where today’s quotes came from. More tears. Why? Because if I never got locked up on this case, if I was never wrongfully convicted, there is a good chance I could have traveled through this fast life without discovering my purpose. No God, please let me get locked up, use man’s wrongdoing and injustice to bring about greatness in my life. I can miss my physical freedom for 21 years, but I cannot miss my lifetime without discovering my purpose.
Then I read my three pages of goals and visions for my life out loud, and I could feel the universe and God moving the chess pieces of my life to align me in the best position to realize my purpose. People. Events. Circumstances. Experiences. Connections. Contacts. I can feel the unseen chess pieces moving. Then I hit my concrete floor in the push-up position, but I only did one good push-up. Why? for the psychological effect (it makes my mind stronger). Yesterday, I did 1,200 push-ups for the physical effect (which made my body stronger). More tears. I’m stronger today than I was yesterday – physically and mentally – and though I’m caged in this tiny cell, I find and feel true freedom in knowing and pursuing my purpose.
Give me a hug, Melissa, mmm-mmm! We know our purposes in life, Melissa. Yes, it took your brother getting wrongfully convicted to ‘accidentally’ discover your purpose, and it took my wrongful conviction to ‘accidentally’ discover my purpose, but bad things and tragedies happening in life are inevitable, so we are so blessed that our tragedies weren’t for nothing because our pain propelled us to discover our purposes.
I also received a new blog idea this morning for your site – Why You Should Adopt an Inmate – because there are many people out there who will find purpose in life when they visit your site and adopt an inmate. Have a good day, Melissa, and keep pursuing your purpose.
Feeling inspired,
Shawn Ali