On Saturday, March 12th, 2011 at 1:00 pm, Project AWARE Mentoring Program(PAMP) through Families of Incarcerated Individuals, Inc. (FII) hosted its 5th “Annual STEP UP 4 CHILDREN: Step Show Competition” at the Historic LeMoyne-Owen College (Gymnasium), 807 Walker Avenue. STEP UP 4 CHILDREN is a campaign to promote the importance of mentoring and community involvement to ensure that all children are given a fair chance in life. FII encourages mentoring through its Project AWARE Mentoring Program which pairs children and youth, who are affected by the incarceration of a parent or immediate family member, with trained mentors who can provide support, friendship, reinforcement, and counsel. PAMP has serviced and mentored hundreds of youth in the Shelby County area since 2000.
For more information about the step show, please click on the following link:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/mar/12/high-steppin-students-stand-up-for-a-reason/
SAVE THE DATE
June 24, 2011
FII, INC 20th Anniversary Gala
"Celebrating 20 Years of Service"
(More Information to Follow)
"FAMILIES OF INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS, INC GAVE THANKS BY GIVING BACK"
On Wednesday, November 24th, 2010, Families of Incarcerated Individuals' (FII) staff, program participants
and volunteers practiced the art of giving. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we served lunch and entertained
the residents of Fox Bridge Assisted Living Community with holiday music, arts, crafts and games. During
our visit, the women of our Doorways Reentry Program at Mark Luttrell Correctional Center sponsored an elderly
woman housed at the community. These women were anxious to give something of themselves to someone else who
might need a helping hand during this holiday season. The Doorways participants gave one or more of their
personal items to create three full baskets of care. The baskets were presented to the elderly resident by
the Doorways mentors and FII staff. What a wonderful way to "Give Thanks"!
"ANGEL TREE CELEBRATION 2010"
Families of Incarcerated Individuals, Inc.(FII) and its Project AWARE Mentoring Program (PAMP) hosted its
10th Annual Angel Tree Celebration on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at McLean Baptist Church, 815 N. McLean.
The purpose of the event is to provide gift giving assistance to caregivers that have been left behind due
to the incarceration of a loved one. Several organizations came together to support this event, showing
it does take a village to raise a child. With their help, we were able to provide toys for over 100 children and youth.
In the past the Military Retirees of the Tri-State Area (MRTSA) have opened its doors to host this event.
Due to the success of the mentoring program, there was a need for a larger venue. McLean Baptist Church
came to the rescue offering their facility and technical assistance. Additional donors for this Angel Tree
project were Hope Presbyterian Church and the Salvation Army. Kym Clark from WMC-TV 5 was the guest speaker
and spoke inspiring words to the participants for the occasion. Anita Woods with Complete Catering catered
the event and a host of individual volunteers throughout the Memphis community helped to make this event a success.
DOORWAYS' MENTOR OF THE YEAR 2011
MRS. TONI HINES
My name is Tara Cody and I am currently an inmate at Mark Luttrell Correctional Center.
First and foremost, I must give all thanks to God because had it not been for Him and his
grace and mercy, I would not be here today to tell my story. Mostly, I would not have had
the honor and privilege to meet and benefit from the love and teachings of one of our own:
Ms. Toni Hines. Toni is so many things to so many people. To me, she is my conscience, my
referee, my sister, my confidant; my friend. These are but a few of the hats that she wears
for me.
I have been to prison on three different occasions on the same charge. While I have never
committed new offenses I have also never found a new way of thinking. I am one of those people
who you would not expect to end up in prison. I am college educated with a military background
and grew up with a loving, involved family. From the outside looking in I was a normal, well-rounded
person… or so it would appear. The reason I am sharing this information about myself is because
I want you to understand the person that Toni Hines first met. Needless to say, I am also opinionated,
very outspoken and verbal to say the least. I have never been one to get involved in any of the programs
prison offered unless I was mandated to do so. But, for some reason, when the Doorways Program was offered,
I decided to see what it was all about. I knew how to get out of prison- I just needed to find out how to
stay out. In addition, I needed to find out how to manage myself as well as my life.
In walked Toni Hines- a little bit of a woman. I always tell people that my mentor is a tiny woman.
However, that is misleading because she is truly a giant. We have tested the waters together and I can
honestly say from day one that I knew that she was just what I needed. Now, almost a year later, she is
still just what I need. Whenever I have one of my "Great Ideas" (yeah right) I run it by Toni and she
listens intently, then she will simply state, "How will that help you" or "what do you want to accomplish
with that" or even "why?"
This larger than life woman has been a lifeline to me. She is not my mother or my personal ATM machine.
She is so much more than that. She is more than I ever thought I deserved. She is my friend and when I grow
up, I want to be just like her. I want to help someone get their life back on track. I want to show someone
that they deserve a second, third or even fourth and fifth chance. I want to give a piece of myself to someone
who wants and needs me just like I need Toni. Toni Hines has inspired not only me but also those that I come
into contact with. I am regularly asked how someone can get a mentor. I tell them how but I also tell them
that they can't have mine! She belongs to me and I belong to her!
I never miss a chance to introduce her to everyone who passes the Chapel on Monday. Not only do the inmates
know who she is but the staff as well. And boy, are they thankful for Toni Hines. Even if they don't know it yet,
simply put, I am a better me because of the best of her. Toni, I love you and I am proud my mentor is the Mentor
of the Year. She deserves it! Not too shabby for the first year, I can't wait to see what you do next. I am so
glad to know you and I have been about to burst keeping this secret. Enjoy your night! (By the way, I am 43 and
still growing up thanks to Toni.)
Love,
Tara Cody 1/2011
MS. NIDIA LOGAN
PAMP'S MENTOR OF THE YEAR 2011
The way that I can best describe Nidia is that she is a wonderful person who takes time out of her busy schedule,
to give back to my daughter, Robin. Such things as making sure she is doing well in school, keeping her grades up,
and also trips to the library. One day she came over and asked Robin what she wanted to be when she grows up Robin
said "go to the library". Nidia asked her what she wanted to do, and Robin said she wanted to be a Veterinarian, so
Nidia took her to the library and Robin brought books about animals and cats. She is a thoughtful person and she
also takes time out to spend with Robin's sister Diamond. She also makes sure Robin and Diamond receive birthday
gifts. She is a very wonderful person and we all appreciate her. We love her, and she will always be in our prayers.
Please keep up the good work.
From,
Yolanda McGhee and Family
