MIDDLESEX COUNTY PRISON COORDINATING COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER

 

MCPCC met on May 9, 2007 in West Newton.  Those present were Mary Ann Donaldson, Carol Winton, Elizabeth Woodbridge, Dorothy Weitzman, Toby Frost, and Tom Crowther.

 

The guest speakers were Linda Burrell, supervisor, and Joey Martinez, counselor, employees of STEP, Inc. Since last June 14 STEP has been contracted to run a rehabilitative program in one of the pods in the new building at the Billerica House of Correction.  Up to 126 men at a time go through a 90-day program that consists of six units of instruction as follows:

 

  1. Orientation
  2. Self assessment
  3. Substance abuse and behavior change education including the AA 12 step program
  4. Violence prevention and impulse control
  5. Life and relationship recovery

6.      Transitioning out reintegration

 

Six STEP staff members, two of whom are bilingual in Spanish and English, conduct the program.  The men each keep daily journals writing what they learned and what they liked the most and the least about the day’s activities.  The counselors  read these and make comments that the men look forward to receiving.

 

We thank Linda and Joey for telling us about their work.

 

Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Dorothy, and Tom reported they enjoyed the Shaw Brothers Concert in Bedford on May 5.  Eighty-nine were present and $252 was raised for MCPCC.  We thank A New Song Coffeehouse for cosponsoring this fundraiser for us.

 

Details of the second upcoming fundraiser on June 2 at the Eliot Church in Newton were discussed.  Vox One, a  group of five talented a cappella singers will perform two 30 minute sets  with the 18 person Boston Jazz Voices  opening  the concert at 8:00 pm.  Check our website www.mcpcc.info for more details and plan to come if possible.

 

NEXT MEETING : JUNE 13 AT 7 PM, OUR ANNUAL MEETING

SECOND CHURCH IN NEWTON, 60 HIGHLAND STREET, WEST NEWTON