Correctional Institutions Chaplaincy
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I have had the pleasure of serving on the board and volunteering for CIC and it has been one of the most fulfilling areas that I have served in ever. During this time of so many cutbacks it is so important for us to step up to the plate and give in an area that touches each person in California.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Every time I go in and watch our volunteer Chaplains at work.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Try and provide bettehr funding for out programs.
CIC Chaplains make an important contribution to helping encarcerated youth and adults find new direction for their lives, set their priorities in proper perspective, and become mentally prepared to conduct responsible and productive lives once they are released and begin to integrate back into the community.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Contributing positively to improving the probabilities of successful return of prisoners to the outside. Those who have an active involvement in a church after their release have a much lower rate of recidivism.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Continue the program and try to expand it.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Seeing the beneficial impact on encarcerated youth.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Very dedicated and selfless people who want to serve their God by helping those in need.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Do much more to assist the prison administration in training prisoners for productive lives after release and working to get them trained for employment and placed into productive work after release.
Ways to make it better...
I had spent more time in active volunteer assistance.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Maintaining sufficient financial support and volunteers to work inside with prisoners.
One thing I'd also say is that...
These chaplains are there because they want to serve in a difficult and unpopular environment that many would shun; and it is an humbling experience for each chaplain and volunteer.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have served CIC as both a Board Member and as a volunteer. They offer an affirming ministry of God's love for all God's children. This is a new concept for many of the folks who are incarcerated. I have watched this message change lives as I listen to the stories of the men in chapel, the women in Bible Study and the youth in classes. Not only does this change the lives of the folks inside, but it has changed mine. After working as a volunteer with the chaplains, I have chosen that work as my life work and completed seminary with that goal in mind.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the life changing goals and actions of those who have been ministered to.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
thank all those who make this work possible.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
It's affirming message that we are all loved by God, no matter what and that message of hopes allows us to change.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Awesome and committed.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Change the world
Ways to make it better...
there were more chaplains to share the work. These folks are always busy, always in demand.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
limited chaplain time and money.
One thing I'd also say is that...
the earnestness of all I have met in this organization is touching and gives it an energy of optimism and hope in the face of so many significant challenges, the challenges of the population served, the economic challenges, the bid process every 2 years for the contract which all could be so demoralizing. But everyone rises to the occasion, every time.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I had the opportunity to go on rounds with one of the CIC Chaplains, and the following are some of my thoughts.'I was moved by the neediness of the inmates. One needed just a ‘moment’ of time, another, just a touch, another, a prayer, another one-one- counseling, and others, just to be seen or heard. I was moved by your ability to discern the needs of each. I thought that I was pretty good at time management, and multi-tasking, and I see that you couldn’t survive without those skills. Being compassionate, and spiritual, are absolute requirements. However, one would become overwhelmed without some practical skills. In just one night, I have a much better appreciation for ‘some’ of the activities performed by a full time CIC Chaplain'.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The services that CIC provides are invaluable. Again, this was ‘just one night’. I was moved by the counseling session with Ricky and trying to ‘follow’ his conversation. In addition to alcohol addiction, attempting to discern what his real needs were, that night. Then we went to the medical area, and you turned in the paperwork, I believe asking for an evaluation? You told them that he was ‘hearing voices’. The Chaplain had planned to distribute books this evening. As we went on rounds, she had the ability to discern and respond to the needs.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Committed, caring, spiritual, practical, talented.
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RPhifer
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
I have ministered with CIC for almost 20 years. This work has involved me engaging in one on one ministry, teaching bible study and leading worship services at the S.J. Downtown Jail, Elmwood Jail, Juvenile Hall, James Ranch & the Muriel Wright Center. The opportunity to impact the lives of brothers and sisters who have encountered struggles has been extremely enriching and rewarding. I've found the CIC staff to be loving, caring and dedicated. I would recommend this ministry to any Christian who desires to act on the words of Jesus found in Matthew 25: 34-40.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the lives of men and women when they are released. Many have come to my church in search of a church home and for ongoing support. It has been wonderful to see lives transformed by God's love & grace.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
try to simplify the clearance process for new volunteers.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The opportunity to and share the love of God while ministering with the youth, men & women who are incarcerated.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
dedicated, faithfull and loving.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
- Hire more staff - secure more resources/materials for ministry - simplify the clerical complexities - expand the ministry and touch more lives in a more significant way - develop a more sound after care (follow up program)
Ways to make it better...
the clearance process was shorted and simplified.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Funding and securing more committed volunteers.
One thing I'd also say is that...
the current staff is loving and dedicated.
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Maranatha Christian Center
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
I have been volunteering with CIC for 3 and a half years. I volunteer leading a bible study in a unit for violent youth offenders each Tuesday night. The guys who come have made some very bad choices and are open to turning their life around. I recently joined the board of directors. The staff of CIC is very hard working and care greatly for those they are serving.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
The staff of CIC is dedicated and caring.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
CIC not only provides vital services to all people that find themselves in the correctional system in Santa Clara County, it also gives those of us that volunteer the unique opportunity to live out the mandate from Matthew 35:36 “I was in prison and you visited me.” My Christian life and walk with Christ was changed forever after my first visit in the system. Bruce Friesen Board Chair and volunteer Chaplain
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The changed lives of those that we see.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
We are seeking more help and more money.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the hands on work.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
people that I hold in the highest of regards.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Help reduce the numbers of those returning to the system.
Ways to make it better...
...my experiance has been great!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the rising number of people in the system.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Don’t let your fears or doubts keep you from receiving the blessings that come from involvement in CIC.
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Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
I've been a volunteer with CIC for a year and a half now, and it's been a very positive experience. I coordinate men from our church as we go in as a team of six to eight and lead groups of inmates in worship, Bible study, and prayer each week. CIC has coordinated our entry and educated each volunteer for various aspects of the ministry, with particular attention to safety. Their twice-yearly training programs usually seem full to capacity and they are filled with compelling testimony as well as important practical info for volunteers. Our contact with Executive Director Rev. David Robinson has always enhanced our understanding and our enjoyment of the ministry. Meeting Dave, one immediately senses his passion and his expertise. He has personally come to our church and spoken about the mission and practice of CIC, and has visited our volunteer support group with a brief but encouraging and informative program. He is always available by phone or by email, and has responded to every one of my questions or needs as a volunteer. CIC gets my five star rating because they sit in an incredibly complex spot, between churches of all stripes and theologies, and the prison system -- not an easy place to be charged with the coordination and security of myriad volunteer programs. From this challenging space they seem to effectively and even lovingly pull off a huge ministry, I believe not only to inmates, but to churches and to volunteers.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the changed lives and smiling faces of men who had earlier felt deserted by God and by the Church.
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Vineyard Christian Fellowship of the Peninsula
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
I rate Correctional Institutions Chaplaincy [CIC] 5 stars. My wife and I have been volunteers with CIC of Santa Clara County for about 20 years. In fact we first met each other at a volunteer organizing meeting [and married a year later]. We are not clergy, rather ‘lay’ people who attend church as congregants. Prior to CIC our only experience with jails was the literacy program my wife participated in at San Quentin. After introductory meetings, screening and receiving final approval we participated in training sessions conducted by CIC professional staff Chaplains. Our first times going in to do Bible studies we were a bit nervous but we were paired with a couple who had extensive experience in the jails. This couple became our mentors and we have remained friends ever since. We currently do weekly Bible studies in the men and women’s jail facilities. CIC Ministries gives us the opportunity to step out of our Church comfort zone and bring the “Good News” to men and women stuck in jail.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Folks getting out of jail and staying out.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Great!
Ways to make it better...
My experience could not have been better.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
The biggest challenge facing the organization is getting community support.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
CIC is really making a difference in the lives of the men, women and youth they serve. There are many challenges to effective ministry to the incarcerated and CIC rises to and overcomes them time and again. The program is God-led, God-centered and God-inspired to meet these individuals wherever they're at, whatever they're facing without judgment. This ministry is as much a blessing to those who serve as it is to those it serves.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
overcoming my own trepidation about serving the incarcerated.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008