Project Village contd.

Greetings Everyone:

Please Mark your Calendar: 

Fingerprinting on Site; Mentor/Parents/Caregivers Orientation and Training,

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 5:30 p..m. until 8:30 p.m.

Zion Travelers MB Church - Room 6: 

351 Chambers Road

St. Louis, MO 63137

We are in our second year for Project Village: A mentoring program/ministry for children of incarcerated parents which is coordinated through the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Missouri in partnership with our National Baptist Convention Prison Ministry and Criminal Justice Commission.  Children of prisoners are the silent "victims" of incarceration, and studies have shown that children of incarcerated parents are most likely themselves to end up in prison if not given the positive reinforcement, tutoring, counseling, and other support servicees by people who care.  No child should be left to end up behind jail and prison bars.  We need your support.

Volunteer mentors are needed for the St. Louis and Kansas City area only (grant stipulation).  Children will be matched with a caring adult to provide one-on-one mentoring services four hours per month via telephone or visits/outing; two hours of which can be done via Ready4Life Group Mentoring Sessions which will continue to be held at Zion Travelers in St. Louis on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Volunteer mentors are asked to commit one year (October 2009 through September 30, 2010). The age range is 8-17 years old for Missouri.

Last year our volunteer mentors in St. Louis received free fingerprinting, but had to travel to the St. Louis County Police Department in Clayton.  This year, an officer will be on site on October 21.  The Department has indicated they will only come this one time; afterwards, those volunteering will need to go to Clayton and/or the City Police Department and Pay $4 or $5.  It is very important to participate on October 21.  The fingerprints are required because you can't have any felonies.  The following information should be brought with you on October 21 as it is needed to submit to our National Coordinator with the Convention, and he forward to the FBI for Processing and certification:

Fingerprints (done) at ZT on 10/21/09

Copy of Automobile Insurance Card, as you will transport children/mentees

Copy of Drivers License

Social Security Number needed for Fingerprint card and application

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer mentor, receiving a mentor for your child or children; providing snacks once per month, or just helping out in any way, please come to the training on Wednesday, October 21 at 5:30 p.m. for fingerprints and 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. for the actual orientation and training; submission of paperwork.  Great for Auxiliaries looking for ways to minister/help.

Please share with members of your church and others that may have an interest.  If possible, place the attached Flyer on your bulletin board, in your bulletin, newsletter or any other communications.  We closed out on July 31, 2009 with nine (9) Churches in St. Louis.  In Kansas City, we have four (4) that should be finalized by the end of November, the new program year 2009-10.  Hopefully your church will be added - your support is needed to make this program a success.

During the 2008-09 program year, we finalized 27 matches in St. Louis but sparked lots of interest.  We hope to have more interest and participation during the final and last program year, 2009-2010.  Your support is appreciated, but commitment is  the key.  Not making a one year commitment can be devastating to the child.  Many are already hurt because individuals do not stay connected with them, and their parent/s are incarcerated.

If I can answer any questions regarding this much needed ministry, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Our children should not be money makers for the prison system, we can make a difference in numbers, impacting one family at a time.

An RSVP would be appreciated by Monday, October 19, 2009, 10:00 p.m.

Prayerfully,

Linda Joyce Mackey, Director

314 837-2146, option 4 or 314 440-6625