MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Wesley United Methodist Church
800 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50316-4304
MEETING AGENDA
We have collected $465 for the Roberta Peters scholarship fund.
Roberta who faithfully attended Friends and other
prison related events, passed away in May.
In her memory FIWP has set up a scholarship in her name.
Donations will be gratefully accepted at our meetings.
You may also contact Vi Darsee at vddarsee@q.com
It would be super if we could raise $550 for one full scholarship.
SIGN IN
MISSION STATEMENT
INTRODUCTIONS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
REPORTS:
ICIW Report – Warden Patti Wachtendorf or ICIW Representative
PROGRAM/FOCUS:
We welcome Elvia Miller to the Friends meeting this month. Elvia completed the STAR treatment program at Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in July 2001. After being released from prison, Elvia knew that she needed to do things differently. She found herself feeling alone without the support of the highly structured STAR program. Elvia realized she needed to start the Winners’ Circle support group not only for her own recovery but the recovery support of the women being released from prison who completed the STAR program. Since that time Elvia has been very busy with the following:
- Established and organized the first Winners’ Circle in Iowa in December 2002.
- Graduated in May 2005 from Grand View University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice.
- Case Manager at the Beacon of Life 2005-2007
- Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor in 2008.
- Employed at the Beacon of Life as a Resident Assistant 2003-2005.
- Employed at MECCA Services as a Recovery Assistant from 2005-2011.
- Substance Abuse Counselor at Bernie Lorenz Recovery from 7/2007 to 9/2007.
- Member of the STAR Advisory Board from 2002-present.
Elvia has over 12 years experience working in treatment facilities and halfway house programs. Elvia’s work experience, life experiences and education have given her the knowledge and awareness of the services needed for women to become successful in recovery.
RECAP OF JULY 16, 2013 MEETING:
In July we welcomed Tristin Potratz, correctional counselor in the STAR (Sisters Together Achieving Recovery) 9 month inpatient substance abuse program at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women. Tristin reported that in the therapeutic community (Unit 9) at ICIW it is their purpose to change criminal thought and behavior, to encourage thinking about what thoughts lead to criminal behavior. They strive to teach a different skill set to help the women become productive citizens.
Unit 9 is divided into four pods of 46 women and 2 mentors each: there are 9 month and 6 month treatment programs, a pre-treatment pod and aftercare pod where women go after completing a treatment program and frequently become mentors for those in treatment.
In the pre-treatment pod five staff members have been let go and have not been replaced. They played a very important role in helping women be mentally prepared for treatment.
We thank Tristin for this informing look into life in Unit 9 and the powerful ways change is being taught and encouraged.
UPCOMING MEETINGS & PRESENTERS:
In September our presenter will be Julie Bardin, Intake/Case Manager for Beacon of Life. Julie graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies. She has worked in the human services field for seven years. At the Beacon she handles all intakes and case manages the 34 women that live there. Julie coordinates the Stepping Stone program for Beacon graduates and is currently revamping their Women’s Health Curriculum.
Julie will be sharing information about their program, who they serve, their goals for the future and their re-sale store, Found Treasures, in Valley Junction.
FIWP LEADERSHIP TEAM: There will be a Leadership Team meeting following this meeting