MARCH 2005 - Volume 12, Issue 3 Let's Start has recently begun a wonderful collaboration with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Eastern Illinois. Big Brothers, Big Sisters is working to provide mentors for children who have a parent in prison. The initial training session for these mentors is provided by Let's Start. True to our tradition, Let's Start has women and children who have lived the experience tell their stories and from these stories the issues faced by children of incarcerated parents are identified. Those who have participated in these training sessions are: Monica Simmons, Felicia Moore and her sons, Patty Berger and her daughter Darolyn Cunningham, Pam White, Vicki Turner, Taylor Sheldon, Quinetta Payne, Kelby Cunningham. ADVOCACY EFFORTS CONTINUE Women of Let's Start, through the information provided by Advocacy Coordinator Cynthia Stevenson, continue to learn about legislative endeavors that impact their lives and the lives of their children. An Advocacy Day for children is being planned for Wednesday, March 23. Our goal is to take 15 young people to Jefferson City to meet some key legislators. CAREGIVER GROUP JOINS COLLABORATION Daphne Anderson, coordinator of the Caregivers Group, has become a part of the Grandparents/Kinship Network organized by the University of Missouri Extension. Because of her involvement, caregivers who come to Let's Start will join with others to participate in a social event planned for the summer. This event called “Sock It To Me Saturday” will be held in St. Louis and in several other cities throughout the state. OUTREACH LEADS TO REACHING OUT Patty Berger and Monica Simmons have been actively involved with a program coordinated by MO Department of Probation and Parole called “Project Connect”. By making specific support plans for women recently released from prison, this program attempts to make the transition for women more successful. Women from this program are welcomed each week at the weekly support group. SCHEDULE FOR MARCH (groups begin at 6:30pm) Tues. March 1 – Group facilitated by Jackie Cooperwood : Hostess – Carol Butcher Tues. March 8 – Group facilitated by Patricia Dean : Hostess – Shantel Gipson Tues. March 15 – Group facilitated by Joan Darcy : Hostess – Vanessa Vaughn Tues. March 22 – Group facilitated by Cecelia Key : Hostess – Cassandra Hopkins Tues. March 29 – STORIES OF HOPE PERFORMANCE YOUTH GROUP – every Tuesday facilitated by Karen Robinson CAREGIVERS GROUP – Wednesday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. – facilitated by Daphne Anderson STORIES OF HOPE SCHEDULE Thursday, March 3 – Gateway, Caseyville, Ill. – 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 8 – Midtown Catholic Community Services – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 29 – for the Let's Start Group, families & friends – 6:45 p.m. Thursday, March 31 – Forest Park Community College TALKS: Tues., March 22 – Students from DuBourgh High School – 9:30 a.m. ADVOCACY DAY FOR CHILDREN – Wed. March 23 THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH: The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.” ---Elie Wiesel |