Halfway Home
The Newsletter of Renascence, Incorporated
WINTER/SPRING 2015
The mission of Renascence is to help non-violent, male ex-offenders make a successful transition from prison into the community.
Renascence? Renaissance? Renasant? Which One?
“No, you don’t want to make a reservation
for your wedding reception here.”
“No, we can’t open an account for you.”
Being in the same city with the
Renaissance Hotel and Renasant Bank brings
confusion several times a week when we get
these calls. Like Renascence, these businesses
probably chose their names, as we did, to reflect
a new beginning or a rebirth. For us anyhow,
the name was chosen intentionally to indicate the
new beginning each of our residents has when
he is released from prison and arrives at
Renascence.
As we begin another year, our ninth in
operation, we at The Renascence Re-entry
Community reflect on the rebirth, not only of our
men, but also of our organization, without which
we could not help the men.
Nine years after first meeting in 1997 to talk
about the great need for a transitional home for
ex-offenders in Montgomery, persistence and
hard work paid off and we opened our doors for
residents on September 11, 2006.
As we look back and reflect, we know that
we have done some good. To date, we have
served 192 men and given each of them the
chance to readjust to life outside prison in a
responsible way. Most achieve this and all are
given an equal chance to do so. In the long run,
however, their own “rebirth” is up to each of
them.
We face 2015 with optimism about the
future. Our financial health is better than it has
ever been, thanks not only to Director, Alan
Smith, and a hard-working Board of Directors,
but also to the growing number and increasing
generosity of faithful donors.
We have added new programs for the men,
such as Holistic Healing and Inside Out Dad,
made possible with grants from the Kiwanis
Foundation, the Central Alabama Community
Foundation, and The Daniel Foundation.
Coordinated by board member Dr. Patricia
Guest, we added a counseling element to the
program in which residents get both individual
and group counseling weekly by trained
professionals.
Board member and former Dept. of
Corrections Drug Counselor Laura Murdock
leads a Sunday evening group meeting that all
residents are required to attend.
A Sunrise Rotary Foundation grant will
allow us to do renovations and maintenance to a
kitchen that shows wear after nine years of
steady use.
Spring will soon be “bustin’ out all over” with
rebirth and new beginnings in the natural world
and so will our Renascence men as they leave
old habits and behaviors behind to take on new
ways of living in the world. And that will make
our community a better place for us as well as for
them.
Another “rebirth” is organization of the storage room we call
“Walmart” that is located under the Renascence office. Residents
usually arrive with only the clothes on their backs, so one of
the first things they do as they settle in is to pick out clothes at
“Walmart.” Recently, resident James Poole took it upon himself
to reorganize what had become a jumble of clothes and other
donations. Now, it is much easier to find what’s needed!
Halfway Home
A Message from the Executive Director
Halfway Home is published by
Renascence, Inc., 215 Clayton
St., Montgomery, AL 36104
(334-832-1402).
www.halfway-home.net
[email protected]
All information and
photography in this issue is
copyrighted by and the
property of Renascence,
Incorporated.
Board of Directors
Mary Lil Owens
President
Joe Crowley
Vice President
Lyn Frazer
Secretary
Jan Heier
Treasurer
Directors
Alyce Robertson Addison
Rebecca Cumbie
Patricia M. Guest
James “Mac” Hall
Cyrus Johnston
Thomas McPherson
William Mitchell
Laura Murdock
Renascence, Inc., is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization.
2
As everyone knows, a house needs many
things to stand the test of time: a foundation or slab
and all of its components to rest on, walls to keep
out undesirable critters, bugs, and trespassers, and
a roof overhead to protect from the elements. If any
of these three things are in bad shape or disrepair,
we all know what happens. Life is NOT good!
Organizations are similar. It takes a good
foundation, a solid infrastructure, and a good plan to
weather the storms of life!
Director Al Smith
So, as I look back over the past 18 months
since I came to Renascence, it’s hard to believe the journey we have been
on. We (the Board and I) have worked hard to shore up the foundation of our
organization. We have worked on internal structure and organizational
components and I am proud to say we are stronger now than we have ever
been! With a lot of our work completed, the never ending challenge of
financial stability continues to be a top priority—a priority that will dominate
our 2015 activities!
Here are a few things I have gleaned over the past 18 months:
•
The need for facilities like ours is huge. This need for safe, clean,
structured environments for men leaving incarceration is much larger than
most people really understand.
•
The system is truly stacked against these men as they attempt to
start over. The system of attaining identification, getting a job or working to
get a driver’s license is paved with pitfalls that the average person never has
to navigate, pitfalls that would frustrate the most patient person.
•
None of this would be possible without your support! With no
federal or state funding, we truly rely on the generous giving of folks like you!
We exist only because of the dedicated group of donors and volunteers who
make our mission to help these men possible. For that I am humbled and
truly thankful!
The past year has been busy and fruitful. We set goals and
accomplished them. I am excited about 2015. I look forward to the lives we
will touch and the positive influence we will make!
I thank each and every one of you who donates to our efforts! We
couldn’t do it without you! We have started a new pledge drive for 2015 and I
encourage you to consider giving monthly or quarterly. The method of
“pledging” truly helps us stabilize our financial picture and ensures a strong,
secure foundation.
The name “Renascence”
The name Renascence means “rebirth,” and was inspired largely by the fresh start
men will begin in this residential program and partly by the poem “Renascence” by Edna
St. Vincent Millay (1862-1950). It comes directly from the same Latin word as the more
familiar form Renaissance, which came into English from French. Renascence is
pronounced “reh NAY sons,” with the stress on the second syllable.
Renascence, Inc.
Halfway-Home Winter-Spring 2015
Wish List
Save the Date!
Donations to supply the needs of
the residents of Renascence are
always welcome. Each of the
twelve bedrooms is furnished
with a single bed, so we are
always in need of twin sheets
and pillowcases, blankets, and
new pillows. We would also
welcome wash cloths and towels
for the men. Some of the other
items you may wish to donate
are:
- toiletries
- bus passes
Also needed are supplies for the
art project.
Of course, monetary donations,
are always welcome and
appreciated.
An Alumnus
Coming up on April 30 is our
2015 FunDrive!
Last year’s event was such a success, board member Bill
Mitchell has once again agreed to share his dazzling collection
of vintage cars and motorcycles with rides in the cars and an
evening of fun and snacks at Mitchell Classics!
Last year, we sent invitations only to those on our list whom we
thought would have an interest in antique cars and/or thought
would enjoy the evening. Again, this year, we will send
invitations to the same group—this time expanding to include
our whole donor list.
During an auction, you can bid on chauffeured rides in the cars,
24-hour use of a car, and services such as auto detailing, but
admission is free and there is nothing to buy. This is simply our
way to say “thank you” to those who have supported
Renascence either financially, by volunteering, or in-kind.
To get a preview glimpse of some of the cars that may be up for
auction, look on Bill’s website at www.mitchellclassics.com.
Allen Johnson was our first man to complete
the Renascence program and move on to a
new life—proof that our program works.
Allen left Renascence in October 2007 after
a stay of nine months, and he drops by to
say “hello” every now and then. In addition
to donating financially, he has given us items
to be used in our art program, things he
accumulated during a period when he made
outdoor furniture for sale. We’re proud of
Allen!
3
If you do not receive an invitation and would like to come, just
call the Renascence office (832-1402), let us know, and we will
send you one!
Renascence, Inc.
Halfway-Home Winter-Spring 2015
Thank You Donors and Volunteers
Thanks to all who have so generously given
Donations, Volunteer Hours, and In-Kind Items to RENASCENCE.
The following list reflects gifts and services for August 1, 2014 through February 15, 2015
INDIVIDUALS
Joe & Kathy Albree
Jack Allen
Gwendolyn Allen-Smith
Tony & Mary Amos
Nancy Anderson
Kim Anderson-Abell
John & Ellen Andrews
John & Wendy Anzalone
Jim Arban & Joe Arban
Mary Armstrong
Nicole Armstrong
Jesse & Dockery Austin
Porter & Annie Babers
Judge Bob & Jannah Bailey
James & Hil Baker
Craig & Carrie Banks
Glen & Lynda Bannister
Ronnie & Nan Barganier
David Barranco
Patricia Barsom
Betty Beale
Jacqueline Beazley
Ryan Beesley
Sanders & Linda Benkwith
Paul & Cynthia Bisbee
John Blount
Thomas Bobo
Adrian Boone
Delores R. Boyd
Joe Brackner/Eileen Knott
Ilouise Bradford
Bob & Nancy Bradford
Roger & Maryem Brewer
Arthur & Maureen Britton
Greg Brown
Katie T. Brown
Phillip & Elizabeth Brown
Clifton Browning
Randy & Libby Bryan
David Byrd
Tom Cagle/Gail Waller
Tom & Maureen Cahir
Greg Calhoun
Dorothy Cameron
Paul & Nora Cammack
Bill & Janie Campbell
Ann Carlton
Alleen Cater
David Cobb
Robert & Bette Cole
Beth Coleman
Tom & Kitty Coleman
Robert & Catherine Cope
Harris & Camille Cornett
Elizabeth Crouse
4
Alice Crowley
Joe & Tricia Crowley
Elizabeth B. Crump
Bill & Becky Cumbie
Barbara Dailey
Joe & Ruth Davis
Allen & Mary Dennis
Sue Dickerson
Kay Dickey
Shirley Dorrough
Bob & Marilyn Douglass
Bruce Downey
Mark & Janet Driscoll
Marvin & Joan Driver
Marjorie Dubina
Priscilla Duncan
Jack & Jamie Durham
Catherine Edwards
Elizabeth Emmet
Dennis Endicott
Joann Erhardt
Jack Evans
Shirley Fifield
J. Scott Finn
Lyn Frazer
M. N. Freeman
James Fuller
Bob Gamble/Renate Rommel
Lydia Garraway
Rick & Cathy Gassenheimer
Mary Gibson
Ashley Gilbreath
Arthur Joe & Lucille Grant
Raye Gregory
Patricia M. Guest
Charles & Joan Gulley
Jeanette Hancock
Elliotte & Elizabeth Harold
Nancy Hartsfield
Fairlie Haynes
Cathy Hegji
Jan & Carol Heier
Mark Herron
Bowen & Maria Hill
Ilouise Hill
John & Virginia Hillhouse
Truman & Debbie Hobbs
Truman & Joyce Hobbs
Dick & Carol Hodges
James C. Hodgson
Thomas & Margaret Horton
Billy & Faye Hughes
Jim & Gina Izer
John Michael Jenkins
Allen Johnson
Cyrus & Faith Johnston
Renascence, Inc.
William Jordan
Haynes & Melanie Kelley
Carol Kendrick
Anne King
Ursula Kling
Gary & Mary Ann Kono
Ray & Nina Kynard
Peter & Elizabeth Land
Joe & Lucie Lee Lanoux
Ann Linder
Frank E. Litchfield III
Betty Little
Bill Little/Mary Lil Owens
Stephen & Bonnie Maddox
Stanley & Sandra Marks
Tim & Carmela Martell
William K. Martin
George H. B. Mathews
Hazel Mathis
Frank & Judith May
Barbara McBryde
Virgil McCain
Caswell & Jean McCurdy
Pat McGinn
Sue McInnish
Sheri McKean
Charles & Katherine McLemore
Larry & Josie McLemore
Purser & Kathy McLeod
Thomas & Vanzetta McPherson
Jeff & Deborah Miller
Kay Miller
George & Sarah Mingledorff
Bill & Joan Mitchell
Nancy Mitchell
John & Pat Moorehouse
Chad & Cathi Morriss
Harold Nicrosi
Keith Norman
Gwen Northcutt
John & Gena Parker
Mary Ann Pickard
Rob Pirnie
Greg & Rebekah Pittman
Mary Pons
Cheairs Porter
John & Gerrie Porter
John M. Porter
Mac & Douglass Porter
Zola Powers
Michael & Enid Probst
Nancy Pugh
Jane Purrington
Bruce & Emilie Reid
Ed Reifenberg
Katie Richburg
Halfway-Home Winter-Spring 2015
Bob & Barry Robichaux
Betty Rollins
Sheron J. Rose
Jimmy Rouse
Buddy & Tee Samford
Col. Dale Scott
Robert Segall
Robert Seibels
Dr. Paul Shashy
Gene Shaver
Winston & kitty Sheehan
Kreg & Angela Sherbine
Lewis & Gloria Simons
Joe Sims
Nelson Smith
Rod & Frances Steele
Karl & Brenda Stegall
Gordon Stenger
Eric & Jill Sterling
Young Stevenson
Anthony & Mary Stojack
Todd & Linda Strange
Andy & Wynne Stumpf
Bobby & Linda Swayne
Mills & Brenda Thornton
Helen Till
Chris & Anne Tippett
Marybelle Trimble
Tommy & Martha Tyson
George Wakefield
Linda Walden
Mark & Anne Waldo
Jo Ann Waters
Penny Weaver
Laurie Jean Weil
Mike & Louisa Weinrib
Helen Wells
Tommy & Susan West
Penn & Lori White
Andy & Marti Whitehead
Irma Jean Williams
James & Florence Williams
Billy & Patricia Williamson
Dorothy Wilson
Cindy C. Wise
Marguerite Wood
Bob & Florence Young
John & Dorothy Ziegler
IN MEMORY OF:
Pat & Patty Crowley
Gary & Mary Ann Kono
Frank Grove
Tom & Kitty Coleman
Dennis Gibson
Mary Gibson
Linda Gill
Peter & Elizabeth Land
Greg Golden
Frank Litchfield III
Ruth Hyde
Joe & Kathy Albree
5
Duncan Liles III
Tom & Kitty Coleman
Magnolia Lovejoy
Joe & Tricia Crowley
Mac & Douglass Porter
Mary Montoya
Nancy Hartsfield
Dick & Carol Hodges
Delores Smith
Kay Dickey
Zola Powers
John & Dorothy Ziegler
Ernestine Taylor
Caswell & Jean McCurdy
Joe & Catherine Whitehead
Andy & Marti Whitehead
Ed Xides
Tom & Kitty Coleman
IN HONOR OF
Dr. Robert Avery
Joe & Tricia Crowley
David, William, & Richard Byrd
Bill & Becky Cumbie
Joe & Tricia Crowley
Tom & Maureen Cahir
Alice Crowley
Tim & Carmela Martell
Dr. & Mrs. William Cumbie
Barbara McBryde
John & Genelle Dale
Bill & Becky Cumbie
Diana van Fossen
Marguerite Wood
Thomas McPherson
Delores R. Boyd
Bill Mitchell
Nancy Mitchell
Bill & Joan Mitchell
Larry & Josie McLemore
Jeff & Deborah Miller
Mark Montoya
Laurie Jean Weil
Bill Little & Mary Lil Owens
Elizabeth Little
Mary Lil Owens
Haynes & Melanie Kelley
Douglass Porter
Dorothy Cameron
Elliotte & Elizabeth Harold
Haynes & Melanie Kelley
Jane Purrington
James & Florence Williams
Mac & Douglass Porter
John & Gerrie Porter
Zola Powers
RESIDENT ROOM SPONSORSHIPS
GIVEN IN HONOR OF
Matthew Stephen Messer
Kathryn Rebekah Messer
Dr. Patricia Guest
CHURCHES, FOUNDATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES
A New Beginning Ministry (Southlawn Baptist Church)
Alabama Power Foundation
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
Alternative Gift Fair – First United Methodist Church
Altrusa Club of Montgomery
Ashley Gilbreath Interior Design
Central Alabama Community Foundation – T. Bowen & Maria Hill Charitable
Trust
Central Alabama Community Foundation – Till Family Charitable Fund
Central Alabama Community Foundation – Community Trust Grant
Central Alabama Community Foundation – Technical Assistance Grant
Chicago Community Foundation – Pat & Patty Crowley Fund
Driscoll Design
Episcopal Churchwomen, Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter
Fidelity Charitable Trust Grant – Sherbine
First United Methodist Church Missions
Giles Enterprises
Hobbs Foundation
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
Kiwanis Foundation Grant
Renasant Bank
River Bank & Trust
Southern Poverty Law Center
St. John’s Episcopal Church Bazaar
Sunrise Rotary Foundation Grant
Renascence, Inc.
Halfway-Home Winter-Spring 2015
Halfway Home
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
MONTGOMERY, AL
PERMIT #66
You Make the Difference!
Renascence, Inc.
215 Clayton St.
Montgomery, AL 36104
Help us make a difference in our community!
Yes, I want to help:
To volunteer, see our website at www.halfway-home.net or call (334) 832-1402.
To donate, make a check payable to Renascence, Inc. or donate via our website.
Send checks to Renascence, Inc., 215 Clayton St., Montgomery, AL 36104
Your generous donation could provide the following:
$140 – occupancy expense/resident/month
$420 – program expenses/month
$982 – employee health insurance/month
$1,250 – house utilities/month
$1,500 – sponsorship of a resident’s
room/year (nameplate over door)
$
other ( any amount)
Renascence is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.
Name
Address
City
State
Phone
Zip Code
Cell Phone
Email
Check here if you would prefer to receive our newsletter via email.