We are committed to doing our part in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Montgomery. We have taken these precautions as we know our residents come to us from a high-risk prison environment, and we want to make sure our residents do not unintentionally spread the virus to the general public.

Bobby has also deepened his faith in God in his time at Renascence. He regularly reads his Bible, meditates, prays, and tells the other men about God’s love. He says, “God has brought me a long way from who I used to be.” He is relying on God and that strengthened faith to get him through the tough days ahead when he moves back home. He is depending on God to keep him away from the same people who got him into trouble in the first place. He says he has no desire for alcohol any longer, but if he had not come to Renascence, he would probably be out drinking now.

He is especially grateful for the help he has received from Joe Crowley, the current Renascence board chairperson. Bobby says, “Dr. Crowley has been a blessing. He has a good heart.” Joe has taken him to many doctor’s appointments and has helped him manage his finances.

There are only a few more requirements from the DRC that Bobby needs to complete before he can go home to Georgianna where his mother and many other family members live. He and his parole officer are actively working on ways for him to complete those requirements. He is very ready to move back home, and Renascence will have a good celebration for him when he is finally able to go back there and live a new life.

Gift Hope MGM 2020, the 9th annual, community-wide, alternative gift fair, will feature numerous nonprofits, including Renascence, that serve “the least of these” in our community and will offer shoppers the opportunity to make a donation for specific items in honor of another. It's the perfect gift for teachers, colleagues, friends, and loved ones.
 
This year’s Gift Hope event will be on Saturday, December 5, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at Cloverdale Park across from the First United Methodist Church. There, “shoppers” will have an opportunity to speak directly with nonprofit representatives, view their displays, and learn more about their missions. (COVID safety precautions will be followed at this outdoor event.)

There is an “online shopping” option as well! Gift Hope shopping is available online at www.fumcmontgomery/GiftHope until December 13. Brief videos featuring each nonprofit, a link to their website, and a shopping menu of gifts are available online.

After three-year terms of dedicated service on the Board, Patrick McGinn and Richard Amberg have stepped off to give more time to other responsibilities. With gratitude for their commitment and various contributions to our work, we wish them all the best.
 
We have been happy to welcome three new Board members in 2020:

Vincent Hall has returned to Montgomery after a 32-year career in Georgia working variously as a law office court specialist and administrator; an HR administrator; and an advocate for repeat youth offenders.  In October he assumed the role of board secretary

Kiesha Favor served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army. She is currently patient navigator coordinator at Health Services Inc. She participated in Leadership Montgomery’s Torchbearers Course.

Willie J. Miles III comes to us with a 32-year career in the US Postal Service. He is an ordained elder at Fresh Anointing House of Worship. He has been pastor over men's ministry and prison ministry. He is a facilitator and teacher of the Man Up program.