• Home
  • About
    • Overview
    • History
    • Services
    • Benefits
    • Staff & Board
  • Donate
    • Our Donors
  • Help
    • Volunteer
    • Wish List
    • Donate
  • Stories
    • Our Stories
    • Latest News
    • Newsletters
    • Outreach
RENASCENCE INC
  • Home
  • About
    • Overview
    • History
    • Services
    • Benefits
    • Staff & Board
  • Donate
    • Our Donors
  • Help
    • Volunteer
    • Wish List
    • Donate
  • Stories
    • Our Stories
    • Latest News
    • Newsletters
    • Outreach

HALFWAY HOME
Newsletter

HALFWAY HOME / Winter 2022

3/4/2022

3 Comments

 

From the Executive Director

Image of Susan Hunt Sims
Susan Hunt Sims
One of my joys is hearing about how well our residents are doing after they have left us. Some of our most recent graduates have kept in touch and told us that they are doing well. They have good jobs, are back with family, and are now living their best lives. One even stopped by a few weeks ago in his semi-truck cab, which he uses now to haul freight. It is a blessing to watch their transformation from being scared and overwhelmed on their first day with us, to joyous and proud when they leave.
 
Thank you for your support, which allows us to provide our residents with structure, responsibility, and hope. Because of you, they have the opportunity at a second chance and a better future.
 
Susan Hunt Sims

Spring Into Auction graphic
Our Spring fundraiser in 2022 will be an online silent auction! Watch for more information to come about all the fun and exciting items that will be available for you to bid on.
Thank you for your support!

Click on the image above to become an auction sponsor.

Facilities Update

As with any home, Renascence requires routine maintenance and proactive planning for future repairs. In the past year, outside hand railings have been installed, as well as smaller routine plumbing and electrical repairs performed. The Board’s facilities committee is anticipating the need for a new roof in the next few years. With a historic home, storm windows are a goal to help decrease heating and cooling costs, as well as make the home more comfortable. Additionally, the flooring at the back entrance needs some stabilizing/leveling in the immediate future. The large, historic home accommodates the needs of the Renascence mission and its participants. With planning, forethought, and budgeting, the Staff and Board intend for it to continue to serve us well into the future.

Ryan Beesley
Picture

Social Worker Update

Image of Jeronda Bouie
Jeronda Bouie
Our social worker, Jeronda Bouie, continues her good work and is making a difference with our residents. We know that our residents do better when they stay longer, and her time with them encourages them to consider their options and the consequences if they leave early. Some residents do not like the house rules or struggle to overcome their addictions and want a quick way out. After years in prison, naturally, our men want to get free from restrictions as soon as possible. Instead, she helps them see the bigger picture and think through their options if they do not stay:

- Where will you go?
- Is the new place safe for your sobriety?
- What are your options for employment and saving money?
- Do you have transportation and other means to meet your parole requirements?
- Will you have an increased risk of violating your parole or go back to your old habits?

Jeronda reports that several of the residents have agreed that staying is their best option despite their frustrations. Since she began her work in May 2021, we have already seen an increase in the retention rate of our residents.

Board Updates

After a two-year term as Board President, Joe Crowley is passing the baton to Vincent Hall, the current Board Secretary.

Joe is grateful for the opportunities to help men transition from prison to the community and pleased with Renascence’s successes in recent years, including the contract with Pardons and Paroles, improvements in the facilities and programs for residents, and the employment of Susan Hunt Sims.

Vincent, whose term begins in March, returned to his hometown, Montgomery, in 2018 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. He joined the Board in Spring of 2020 and in the Summer of 2021 took on the role of Secretary. Vincent’s experience and character give him invaluable perspective on what Renascence is about, on our men and their families, and on the legal and criminal justice systems involved. 
Image of Joe Crowley
Joe Crowley
Image of Vincent Hall
Vincent Hall

Image of Lloyd Strickland
Lloyd Strickland
Image of Twyanna Penick
Twyanna Penick
We are happy to welcome two members who joined the Board in 2021.
Lloyd Strickland, CPA, has joined the Board as Treasurer. The former Board Treasurer of the Chemical Addictions Program, Lloyd has a passion for helping persons recover from addiction.

Twyanna Penick, Development Officer at the Southern Poverty Law Center, brings fresh ideas and strategies and youthful energy to our fundraising and public relations efforts.

Keith Jones, model resident and recent graduate

Image of Keith Jones
Keith Jones, a recent graduate of Renascence, did very well in our program and we are proud of him. Because he did so well, he was able to move back with his family in his hometown in South Carolina. 

Like most of our residents, Keith was ordered to Renascence by Pardons and Paroles. He didn’t want to come at first, but once he had been at the house for a few weeks, he realized that it would be a great opportunity and ended up loving it. He eventually became house leader, which meant some extra responsibilities and several privileges, such as a room with a private bathroom. He says that while at Renascence he learned “respect, discipline, and more about the 12-steps and sobriety.” He got a second chance at Renascence and called it “a wonderful place.” He was determined to do well because he didn’t want to go back to prison and wanted to be back with his family.

House Superintendent Dereck Wise called him a “model resident”. Dereck says, “He had a positive attitude and was determined to turn his life around. He bought a car, kept a job, and was a hard worker. He always did his chores and helped others in the house.” At first, Keith was frustrated by Dereck’s strict discipline in the house. But in time, he came to realize that he needed the discipline and appreciated it.

He now has a good job in South Carolina that he enjoys. They have already promoted him after just a few weeks. He says it is awesome and amazing to be back with his family. A recent highlight was seeing his 11-year-old granddaughter in person for the first time in several years. It was a joyful reunion.


Art Room Reveal - March 17

Picture
Art provides a level of enrichment and self-expression that many of our residents have never experienced before. We believe they can and should enjoy this aspect of life, too. Renascence once had an art program that was discontinued for many years after the teacher could no longer participate. It has long been a dream to get the art programming started for our residents once again, and now that dream is coming true! We are partnering with two groups that are making this possible.

A team from Leadership Montgomery chose Renascence for their project this year. They are making progress on renovating and updating the art room. They are providing funds and labor to clean, organize, and restock the room. They are also looking for potential art teachers. The LM team has already made great progress, as evidenced by these before and after photos.

In addition to the LM team’s efforts, the Alabama Arts Alliance has received a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts to begin offering classes at Renascence. This grant will provide art supplies and teachers in all different types of media, including visual, performance, and literary arts. The Arts Alliance also plans to have an exhibition of the residents’ artwork and writing before August.

We are planning a Reveal event on March 17 at 12:00 p.m. All are invited to see the transformation of the art room on that day!

Picture
The art room before
Picture
The art room in progress
Come and see the final Reveal in person on March 17 at 12:00 PM

Current Donation Needs

  • Bus passes
  • Towels, washcloths (new)
  • Men's new underwear (boxers)
  • Men's toiletries
  • Men's jeans
  • Men's wallets

Current Volunteer Needs

  • Drivers to take our residents to appointments to get their ID, medical appointments, etc.
  • Mentors
  • Art Teachers
  • Volunteers to provide an evening meal to the residents (10-12 men)
Visit our Volunteer page or contact Susan Hunt Sims at renascenceinc@outlook.com or 334-832-1402 to volunteer.
3 Comments

    Halfway Home

    Read about resident stories and news from Renascence, Inc.

    Get Halfway Home newsletter by email:

    SUBSCRIBE

    Archives

    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2020

Picture

​Assisting in the transition of male ex-offenders from prison to a successful reintegration into the local community.

​215 Clayton Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104

Phone (334) 832-1402
Fax (334) 832-2927
Email renascenceinc@outlook.com

DONATE NOW
NEWSLETTER
Picture
  • Home
  • About
    • Overview
    • History
    • Services
    • Benefits
    • Staff & Board
  • Donate
    • Our Donors
  • Help
    • Volunteer
    • Wish List
    • Donate
  • Stories
    • Our Stories
    • Latest News
    • Newsletters
    • Outreach