Prisoners Are People Too, Inc.
~Advocacy and Education Since 2005~
Prisoners Are People Too has two chapters in Erie and Niagara Counties, NY. Claudia Racine is the Niagara County Facilitator.
NEWS FROM NIAGARA CHAPTER OF
PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE TOO
OCTOBER 2013
WE HAVE ARRIVED! September was the beginning of our monthly meetings of the Niagara Chapter of Prisoners are People Too. The focus in September was on “Who We Are” as families, friends, formerly incarcerated and loved ones who are currently incarcerated. There is a lot of work to be done in Niagara as we work towards increasing awareness of the vast and complex issues that impact all of us as a community.
It has been my privilege to work with some great folks who are committed to breaching the misperceptions and stigmatisms that surround us in our daily lives because of incarceration. I am very grateful for all they have done and are doing. We can only move forward.
Our October 26 meeting focused on “Realities of Reentry” presented by Jerome Wright. Thank you Jerome for a great presentation. The discussion that followed (as one of our members put it) – was a “bonfire” of ideas. Thank you to all that came – we had a good turn out of “family”.
Mark your calendars for our next “We Are Family” meeting on Saturday, November 23, 10:30am – 12:30pm. Our guest speakers will be Karima Amin, Founder & Executive Director of Prisoners Are People Too, and George “BaBa” Eng, Program Director for PRP2.
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church, 639 Main St., Niagara Falls, NY.
REMINDER: November 23, we will also be collecting donations of personal care items (deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste etc) for the Niagara County Parole Reentry program.
For Further Information please contact: Claudia Racine, Facilitator 236-0357 cracine823@aol.com
Mary Richardson 471-7069 Mary2447@yahoo.com
Samika Sullivan 579-2808
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MEETING!
THE MAY MEETING OF THE NIAGARA CHAPTER OF PRP2 is one you won't want to miss!
Our veterans have served our country and we thank them for their service. Sometimes, however, a veteran becomes involved with the criminal justice system and subsequently is incarcerated. The barriers and challenges they face upon re-entry are difficult. Prisoners Are People Too-Niagara Chapter is very please to have Cynthia Thayer, VA Re-entry Specialist and as a special guest, a veteran who had been incarcerated and is willing to share his story. Please join us to show support for these veterans.
May 10, 2014 - 10am - 12pm - Unitarian Universalist Church 639 Main Street in Niagara Falls
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MEETING!
THE MARCH MEETING OF THE NIAGARA CHAPTER OF PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE TOO should be one you don't want to miss. The featured guest speaker will be DR. ROLANDA WARD.
Rolanda is currently an Assistant Professor of Social Work at SUNY Fredonia, where she teaches students how to work toward achieving social justice in their communities. She earned a Masters in Social Work, a Masters in Divinity, and a Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Work from Boston University in Boston, MA.
March 22, 2014 - 10am - 12pm. - Unitarian Universalist Church - 639 Main St.- Niagara Falls
Her presentation will be two parts:
"Enhancing Dignity through Human Relations after Incarceration" and
"Leaving Correctional Facilities: Understanding What It Means and How It Shapes the Transition to Adulthood" research study.
MEETING!
The focus of the February 22nd meeting will be on Parole Reentry. It is essential to have the support from the community in helping offenders transition successfully from prison to their communities. The goals of the Reentry Program are to "reduce recidivism, strengthen community supports, and promote community safety". It is in our best interest to provide ex-offenders a solid base as they strive to reintegrate and become productive citizens in their communities.
Please join us on Saturday, Feb 22nd, 10AM at The Unitarian Universalist Church, 639 Main St.. Niagara Falls, NY 14301 to learn more about the Niagara County Reentry Program. Our guest speakers will be Eric Boerdner, Parole Reentry Coordinator, and John Figueroa, Offender Reentry Consultant.
Claudia Racine, FacilitatorPrisoners are People Too -
Niagara Chaptercracine823@aol.com 236-0257