{"id":983,"date":"2009-09-10T20:29:07","date_gmt":"2009-09-10T20:29:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/?p=983"},"modified":"2010-12-22T12:49:47","modified_gmt":"2010-12-22T17:49:47","slug":"7288","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/2009\/09\/10\/7288\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping Former Women Inmates \u2013 a \u2018Kingdom Assignment\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO, IL (September 10, 2009) \u2013 This is the fourth in a five-part series on Criminal Justice and the Church. The article, written by news editor Stan Friedman, originally appeared in the July 2009 issue of The Covenant Companion<\/em><\/a>.
\n
\nBy Stan Friedman<\/p>\n

When Oakdale Covenant Church Pastor Darrell Griffin gave Lisa Caridine $100 and a \u201ckingdom assignment\u201d to do something meaningful for others with the money, she knew one thing \u2013 she was not happy. What she didn\u2019t know was that her life was about to change.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was kind of taken aback,\u201d she recalls of that day in 2002.\u00a0 \u201cIt was like another thing to do.\u201d Beside, she adds, \u201cAt the time, I didn\u2019t think I was up to the assignment. \u201cI thought \u2018I am a kingdom assignment.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Caridine had no idea about how she should use the money, but Griffin had told the handful of people to whom he gave the funds that they should pray about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know what I was supposed to do. I didn\u2019t know how I was going to fit.\u201d<\/h5>\n

\u201cI prayed five days before I knew what to do,\u201d she says. She came to believe God was directing her to help Black on Black Love, an organization that helps women who have been incarcerated. Caridine didn\u2019t know much more than that about BOBL, but she had heard it mentioned a couple of times in previous years.<\/p>\n

She called the organization and told the woman on the other end of the phone that \u201cI was on a kingdom assignment and I wanted to plant a seed.\u201d Caridine thought the woman would think her odd, but she understood and extended an invitation to visit the offices.<\/p>\n

Deciding to give more than money, Caridine spent a year checking into different BOBL programs that include motivational programs in the Cook County Jail, community outreach programs, and more recently a mentoring program for males. Caridine liked what she saw. \u201cI didn\u2019t see just another program getting funds. I could see God at work.\u201d Still, she adds, \u201cI didn\u2019t know what I was supposed to do. I didn\u2019t know how I was going to fit.\u201d<\/p>\n

A labor attorney with the Chicago Public Schools, Caridine figured she probably would do administrative work – \u201csomething in my comfort zone.\u201d Eventually she became a mentor to a single mother in her mid-30s as part of BOBL\u2019s \u201cMy Sister\u2019s Keeper\u201d program. The woman had several years of college, \u201cbut she had made some bad decisions\u201d and wound up in jail.<\/p>\n

Seven years later, Caridine serves on the board of directors of BOBL. She has helped the organization draw in funding from a greater variety of sources and connected it with Oakdale Covenant and Wellspring Center for Hope, a Covenant ministry to victims of domestic violence. Her family members also have become involved. Her mother Pearl Robertson, is the chairperson for the mentoring outreach, and her aunt Edna Toney does mentoring.<\/p>\n

“It has blessed me. It helped me find healing and purpose.\u201d<\/h6>\n

Many of the women served by BOBL are desperate for change but struggle to believe a new life is possible, especially when others have lost faith in them. \u201cTheir families have given up on them; their friends have given up on them,\u201d Caridine says. She adds that part of her task is to get the women \u201cto look to God despite how the world looks down upon them. You have to get the women to have hope.\u201d It is important, she adds, to help the women understand that the past does not determine their destiny.<\/p>\n

BOBL provides counseling and other services through organizations such as Wellspring to help the women get housing, learn life skills, heal, and obtain jobs. Mentors primarily befriend the women or act as \u201cbig sisters\u201d and help them through the process, oftentimes just listening. \u201cMany of the women have never had a healthy relationship,\u201d Caridine says.<\/p>\n

Eventually, the women and mentors are both changed by their relationships. Caridine says the women have told her, \u201cI can\u2019t believe you said you got something from me.\u201d She has received far more than she ever expected, explaining, “It has blessed me. It helped me find healing and purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

That purpose has led her to now serve on the Compassion, Mercy, and Justice Commission of the Central Conference. She also plans to get a Certificate in Justice Ministries. Caridine now encourages others to do what may feel uncomfortable and unsure whether they possess the necessary skills. \u201cUnless you step out, you will never know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caridine says that before that day in 2002, she had been a \u201cdo-gooder.\u201d She did volunteer work at various times. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t do it with a kingdom perspective.\u201d She had not become so deeply involved.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis has been a journey,\u201d Caridine says. She has learned she was right about herself when Griffin gave her the money. She has been a kingdom assignment.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note: During this year\u2019s Annual Meeting, the Christian Action Commission presented a draft resolution on Criminal Justice that will be voted on during next year\u2019s Annual Meeting. Local churches and individuals are encouraged to read and discuss the draft resolution and provide feedback to the commission no later than October 1. Click here<\/a> to read the resolution. Feedback may be submitted by email to the commission by clicking here<\/a>. For more information on the commission and its work, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To read previous articles in the series, select below:<\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

Criminal Justice Awareness Week Is Here<\/a><\/p>\n

How Does Criminal Justice System Treat Inmates?<\/a><\/p>\n

Prison Not \u2018Off Limits\u2019 to Power of Gospel<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Report This Post<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO, IL (September 10, 2009) \u2013 This is the fourth in a five-part series on Criminal Justice and the Church. 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