No Heavy Lifting Required

In a world where you can’t go to the bathroom without asking permission and are locked up in a 10 x 10’ cell at night; in a world where you have to endure a strip search to see your wife on visiting day—that’s if you’re lucky enough to still have a wife or a visitor of any kind, there is one thing to look forward to: the mail.

UNITE INDY is deeply involved in fighting poverty through our prison ministry. While that involves training for those who are soon to be released from incarceration, and helping them get jobs when they are free, we cannot forget the many who are not soon to be released, who have often been abandoned by their families and friends; men and women who have not had a visitor in ten or more years; people who made mistakes, but yearn for the redemption of friendship.

It was a letter from prison that started every aspect of the prison programs UNITE INDY is doing now; our training of the Jobs For Life course inside prisons, the development of SecondChanceIndy.com, an employment website that connects those who have a criminal record with employers willing to offer them a second chance; a job transportation program, and a mentoring effort that helps returnees through every step of reentry.

But that letter from Jesse started more than all that. It began a relationship that continues to this day. He calls me Mom. His real mom wasn’t really ever there for him and it is a privilege that he uses that word to address me. That’s what letter writing does. It gives us the opportunity to help someone with life, just as a mother or a father or a friend helps us. Pretty soon you forget that the person on the other end of the postal route is in prison. You start writing to an “inmate”, but soon they become an important person to you—the parameters change.

That picture above includes just some of the recent letters we’ve received from folks who have heard about UNITE INDY and are asking for someone to write to them. It sounds like a big ask, I know. But it really is a huge blessing. This is a ministry you can handle from home, when you have time, no heavy lifting required. You can do it by letter, or email.

You have a heart you can share. We have a letter from someone who would love to just have a friend. Sound scary? It’s not. Contact us here if you just want to ask some questions. Or here if you’re ready and want to sign up. Our Inmate Correspondent Team Leader, Sara, will be in touch.

Just consider the fact that by God’s grace you are not alone in prison today. It only takes one really bad decision.

Nancy