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Greeting Friends, Next week, a young man will be released into our community from the Saskatchewan Penitentiary. “Jordan” (not his real name), has spent years in and out of prison and he‘s had enough of it. I first met Jordan 6 years ago when I was chaplain at the Saskatoon Correctional Center. More recently, I have been visiting with him on my monthly trips to Prince Albert and during COVID, through letters and phone calls. Jordan was diagnosed with a mental illness at the age of nine and he‘s spent all his life trying to keep it under control. His subsequent alcohol and drug use leading to his many incarcerations are proof of his inability to do so.
Jordan was released in April with a plan to go to a treatment center as soon as possible. However, with the pandemic lockdown, the treatment
center wasn‘t taking any new patients. He had expected to have the support of his girlfriend, but they quickly determined that it was best for both of them if they ended their relationship. There were others, including myself who attempted to support him but none of us, including Jordan seemed to realize just how much support he would need. Then there was the issue of having a reliable phone that would stay charged long enough in order to make or receive the necessary calls for support. Added to that, people who live in shelters often rely on businesses that allow people to stop in so that they can make use of the free wi-fi. Again, most of those businesses were closed at that time. It seemed that everything we had in place for him had failed him.
Jordan told me on the day he was released when I met him for a (physically distanced) coffee around 2 in the afternoon, that this was
already the longest he‘d been out of prison without getting high. To the best of our knowledge, he remained clean for about 10 days when he broke down and turned to his drug of choice. This was a breach of his parole conditions so It wasn‘t long and his Parole officer revoked Jordan‘s parole and he was on his way back to Sask Pen.
This was devastating to Jordan. He was quite distraught when a social worker went to see him. He felt like he had let everyone down but she, and later myself and his parents as well assured him that we had not given up on him, that though he made the wrong decision to use drugs, many things were beyond his control and he had resorted to the only way he knew how to cope. Learning that we are all still supportive and that we chalked this up as a learning experience, he began to realize he was not as alone as he thought he‘d been. And one day, after
a phone call, he went back to his cell and prayed, inviting Jesus into his life. Though he‘d done a lot of talking to God in the previous months, something changed in him with that prayer. Days later people were asking what he was smiling about, he was feeling that good.
So, here we are, 5 months later, ready to give it another go. He has a date to enter the treatment center, he wants to go along to church with me the first Sunday (following all the proper COVID precautions) and is looking to make church a part of his life. He has a couple options for a reliable phone and his supports are going to be keeping regular tabs on him. We are cautiously optimistic that things will be different this time.
I ask that you would remember Jordan, us and his supports in your thoughts and prayers that it would be a safe and successful reintegration for him. If you would like to be a
support to him as well, by just calling to check in with him once or twice a week, please give us a call or an email. I‘d be glad to have a conversation with you about it. This is how we strive to be tough on crime, one friendship at a time. We need all of our friends to support us in this work, and we do thank you for your thoughts, your prayers, your gifts of time and finances as we and our volunteers do this important work.
Blessings to all,
Dave Feick Executive Director
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BREAKING NEWS! On November 1, 2020 we will be leaving KAP House and joining some of our community partners at the MCC Building in Saskatoon.
We will fondly remember our time at KAP House and cannot express how much we value the partnerships we have with Integrated Community Ministries and STR8UP. We will miss our daily interactions!
Please take note of our new address: 600 45th Street, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 5W9
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| In the Spirit of Reconciliation Over the course of the summer months and into fall, Micah staff participated in numerous activities committed to anti-racism, increasing Indigenous cultural awareness, and engaging in community reconciliation.
Roman signed up for, and completed, the Indigenous Canada course offered by the University of Alberta. While Adriana completed a 5-session workshop on decolonizing Restorative Justice through anti-racism and anti-oppression principles and practices.
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Micah staff also participated in Reconciliation Saskatoon's Be A ConnectR Challenge. For 8 weeks, staff choose one of the TRC Calls To Action and committed to fulfilling that action (Calls to Actions #36, #37, #43, #46, #48, #49, #57, #92 ). We participated in numerous online learning activities facilitated by special guest speakers from across Turtle Island which included Indigenous artist, singer/songwriter, and actor Andrea Menard and Métis/Cree author, Jesse Thistle.
On September 30, 2020 Micah staff alongside Integrated Community Ministries and STR8UP hosted a celebration of remembrance in honour of Orange Shirt Day. A day dedicated to the approximately 150 000 Indigenous children who were forced to attend a Canadian residential school, and the approximately 6000 documented
children that never returned home. Orange Shirt Day only takes place one day a year, however we commit to learning, growing, having meaningful discussions and practicing reconciliation daily.
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October COVID-19 Update: The most recent COVID-19 program updates and guidelines can be found on our
website. The office is open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday for staff, clients, and volunteers. It is recommended that you book an appointment with staff should you wish to meet in person. There will be an active screening for all individuals entering the building – you will be required to wash and/or sanitize your hands, have your temperature taken, and we ask that you please wear a mask.
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P2P and FCRP Update: CSC-SCC is beginning to resume in-person activities with volunteers and community partners. A virtual health and safety training is required prior to returning to volunteer activities at RPC. Upon entry to a CSC-SCC facility you will answer screening questions; have your temperature taken twice; be required to wear a mask at all times on the premises; clean and sanitize your hands at the entrance and throughout the building; and required to maintain a physical distance of two meters between other individuals. If you are not ready to return to in-person visits please contact the office to receive letter writing supplies.
CoSA Update: Indoor in-person circles resumed on September 8, 2020. Circle community members and core members are required to wash and/or sanitize their hands prior to circle; maintain a distance of two meters between one another; ensure circles are composed solely of community members and core members; and avoid car-pooling. Masks are highly recommended for circle participation. Should circle members not feel comfortable meeting in-person at this time, please continue to connect virtually.
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