Become a Rehoboth Restorative Sponsor Today!
Become a Rehoboth Restorative Sponsor Today!
INSIDE
TIMOTHY, PHILLIP AND MARY - UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
One of my many adopted sons in the journey (prison) contacted me regarding his cellmate Phillip's family situation. Phillip was concerned about his brother Timmy, also in prison. Timmy incarcerated for 25 years was now terminally ill. Timmy had not had a visit in years.
Communicating with Phillip led me to believe perhaps Timmy had a reading problem and could not complete the necessary contact forms.
Note: (Twice per year an inmate can adjust his visitation list. DOC policies only permit approved visitors to contact the staff regarding an inmate. No eligible or available person was of his visitation list.)
The brothers had a sister Mary who resided in Tallapoosa GA. I contacted Mary
she was extremely happy I'd reached out to her. Mary was homebound due to illness yet aware Timmy was not well. News travels within and outside of prisons.
Through a lengthy process we obtained authorized documentation and became Mary's advocate on behalf of her brother. Following facility protocol we were able to connect with Timmy's counselor. Facility counselors have extremely large case loads, however she was extremely helpful in assuring Mary was added to his list.
Mary was able to speak with Timmy as his illness progressed. During his end of life the medical staff even allowed Timmy a phone call his sister.
When Timmy passed, Mary was able to have him returned to Tallapoosa.
Timmy was home again and finally Free.
Update:
Timmy's picture hangs on the wall in our Cobb County, Ga office. Mary and I remain in touch. Phillip will be home one day. This family remain a part of our Rehoboth community.
Note: Please have your incarcerated family or friend complete a HIPPA release/contact form naming someone as a designated contact person to receive or inquire about medical, hospitalization etc.
If this document is not on file.... The Georgia Department of Corrections will not release ANY medical information to anyone under ANY circumstances!!!!
RE-ENTRY COMMUNITY
WILLIAMS STORY - PEOPLE CARE
I received a call from a community partner Russell G. of Gwinnett County.
Apparently a man recently released from prison experienced an issue with his parole housing and was camped out behind an McDonalds in East Cobb.
Rehoboth board member Frank M. went to the rescue and found him. He'd slept behind a dumpster for 2 days. An employee from the local McDonalds gave him food. William was able to contacted a friend in Bogart, GA who contacted Russell. He reached out to me. ( Russell and I were community partners, we met in 2014 during the Epic of Prison Reform. This was under the leadership of former Governor N. Deal. He'd attended meeting at MUST Ministries in Cobb and I was an attending member of The Gwinnett G.R.I.P Reentry Program, held at the Gwinnett County Jail in Lawrenceville.)
We secured a place for William for the night. Russell had arranged travel from Cobb to Gwinnett for the next day. His parole was to Cobb County however contact was made with the Marietta CSD (community supervision) person. He was approved to travel to Bogart GA. under the supervision of Russell and his ministry team, who vowed to keep him in touch with the Cobb office until his parole address could be changed.
Aided by a local church's reentry program, William found housing, employment and joined a church. Months later Frank my husband and I along with William' s friends and family from Alabama attended his Baptism at church. We've since lost contact with William. I hope he's home in Alabama, however we have great pictures from his baptism.
The above are true stories amongst countless others. Some stories we can't share.
"Most of us have our own personal story. It enables us to serve our constituents unapologetically and with unconditional faith and hope for each person seeking a hand-up. We are called to a ministry of Reconciliation.
Copyright © 2022 REHOBOTH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES. All Rights Reserved.
Genesis 26:22