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From The Observer News
(www.observernews.net) Over Coffee She’s been a musician, a teacher, played in national tennis competitions and worked for the CIA. At first, it seemed impossible to me that anyone could use the skills learned in those four areas in a single volunteer position.
When we spoke recently in Sun City Center, the community where she now lives, Nancy’s whole conversation revolved around the women she mentors at the Hillsborough Correctional Institution on State Road 672 in Riverview. Several years ago this prison was the first in the country to incorporate faith-based programs, which are supervised by Warden Michele Bateman and directed by Chaplain Rex Henry. Volunteers from all over South County, like Nancy, give classes, mentor, see that the women have sports activities and give them a chance to develop spiritually. Nancy first began her efforts at the prison working with Dr. Kenneth Barringer, from the Sun City Center Mental Health Coalition, in his anger management classes. The former music teacher, who also has an extensive background working with organizations like the CIA and the (Washington) DC Medical Society, said she remembers her first visit to HCI as “life-changing.” “There was this one woman who came in and banged her hand against the registration table where I had a list of all those who had been told they had to attend the class,” Nancy said. She said, ‘I don’t want to be in this class. I don’t have any anger management issues,’ and yet she was obviously very angry.” Some of the classes are optional, but the warden decides who must take a class such as “Anger Management.” “During the break, I mentioned to Dr. Barringer that I thought the women might enjoy some music. So I taught them some songs and got them up and moving around. After the class, the woman who had been so angry in the beginning told me she felt so much better and knew that (the class) was the place she was supposed to be. I was hooked right then,” Nancy said. “It was all the confirmation (of God’s purpose) I needed.” That was in April 2004. Since then, the mother of two and grandmother of four, wife of husband, Steve, for 41 years, has intermingled her national award-winning tennis championships and other interests with regular visits to the women at HCI. She has been instrumental in starting programs under the heading of Wellness Classes, which are approved by the Florida Department of Corrections. As a volunteer, she works directly under the Chaplain’s Office, and says she is continuously surprised at the variety of talent and competence she sees in the women housed there. “Women have to be approved to go there from other prisons,” she told me. “And if they mess up, they go back.” Under the faith-based plan, the women have had softball games with a Sun City Center woman’s softball team; attended seminars and classes in a wide range of subjects; and been given a chance to express their artistic abilities. Recently, Nancy developed a course she titled Fruits of the Spirit, which incorporates art, inspirational writing and Bible studies. The women were thrilled and the classes filled up. Each week they would take one of the “fruits” mentioned in the New Testament and write what the word meant to them, accompanied by a freehand drawing. Examples were as varied as the women themselves. It amazed me to see the variety of works associated with words like “faith” and “love.” Several drew people in various situations. Others drew pictures of real fruits, like pineapples and apples, with poetry or Bible verses written in or across them. “People in confinement have time for new learning opportunities,” Nancy said. “But since many have jobs they must perform during the day, both inside and outdoors, we also make classes available at night. This enables working people in the community to participate too.” Working with the inmates is extremely fulfilling, she said. And she sometimes keeps in touch with them after they’re released. “I knew that first day that I was there to save lives and I thank God for the wonderful opportunity He has given me,” Nancy said. Since moving from Washington, DC to Connecticut and then to Florida, Nancy has taken on many roles. Before stepping into a role she calls “professional volunteer” at HCI, she volunteered other places, including South Bay Hospital. She has also kept up with and used her vocal and keyboard talents in various ways, and has won awards for tennis in the National Senior Games. Although she still works at HCI with Dr. Barringer, she has gone on her own there as well, inventing new programs, some of which are requested directly by the inmates. Art and music became so important to their development, the warden allowed Valrico art teacher Minette Webster to begin working with them too. This has led to a showing of some of their work at Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association, 619 Vondenburg Drive in Brandon. The showing’s Open House is Sunday, July 13, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and the art will be on display for the rest of the month. To find out more about volunteering at the institution, contact the chaplain’s office through the HCI switchboard at (813) 671-5022. *Perhaps you have something you’d like to share. Or maybe you’d rather tell the community about your favorite charity or cause: or sound off about something you think needs change. That’s what “Over Coffee” is about. It really doesn’t matter whether we actually drink any coffee or not (although I probably will). It’s what you have to say that’s important. E-mail me any time and suggest a meeting place. No matter what’s going on, I’m usually available to share just one more cup. Or maybe you’d like to tune into the new radio show I’m hosting, “The Uncensored Reporter.” It’s available across the country on both AM and FM radio but so far I haven’t found out the call numbers for our area so I just direct everyone to www.themicroeffect.com on their computers Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-to-4 p.m. It’s a call-in show so maybe you’ve got some ideas or comments you’d like to share on the air. Just click on “Listen Live” and give it a whirl. © Copyright 2008 by The Observer News Publications and M&M Printing |
