Family Upreach: “Day of Giving” Tuesday, November 10

We hope you receive this newsletter at least a few days before Tuesday’s “Day of Giving” to allow time to go online and make a contribution at www.coastalbenddayofgiving.org from midnight to midnight. If we receive $22,000, it will be “matched” and become $44,000. We have done everything we know to do in preparation and trust God. We encouraged pre-scheduled donations through Monday, November 9. Those will end at midnight, November 9. We would like to awaken Tuesday knowing the $22,000 is secured. Then, it is up to what happens over the next 24 hours.

Last year, we did out BEST and received $80,899! Our overall “goal” has been $100,000 since 2018. The “matching” funds is capped at $22,000 but we will receive every cent to an unlimited ceiling. We hope 2020 is the year we break the invisible but daunting $100,000 ceiling. In this Coronavirus-Climate, it will not be easy. Please pray with and for us to do our BEST again – whatever that ultimately turns out to look like – and let us be thankful. Many have not been as blessed as others. If the Lord has been good to you, we are confident that you will graciously pass it on.

A “new” step we have taken this year is asking friends to sponsor individual or business Fundraisers for us. We have been told how the “Day of Giving” is basically a social media-driven event. This means it a “numbers” game. Few of us can give thousands but we can give the minimum of $10. For instance, one can sponsor a Fundraiser and set a goal of $500. If that person gives $10, lets Facebook and other contacts know of it and only 49 others do it . . . Goal reached! Of course, some will give more than $10. Only one deeply passionate about a ministry will do something this bold. We are grateful that a few have done this for us. So far, we have not had a “business” set one up but have not given up on the

idea. It can be advantageous for businesses to make tax-deductible contributions.

One other thing we did this year is give prominence to the Day of Giving on our website. In fact, you should be able to see scenes that “tell our story.” Our “story” is so big and wide that it is not easily shared or grasped. Also, we realize some are primarily interested in one aspect such as “Little Angels” compared to others whose focus is on our VetNet outreach to military personnel. However, all significant phases of the ministry are equal.

Since 1984: Reconciling persons to God, families and society

November 2020

Our mission is to reconcile individuals to God, families and society. We educate in the community and among the incarcerated seeking to promote positive transformation from negative behavior to positive.

We offer a curriculum of 14 Life Skill courses, including one for children. The material is used in groups, one-on-one, and by mail. We aid the newly released, family members (small children especially), and those who are seeking addiction recovery.

Most we serve are under supervision – probation or parole – county, state, or federal.

Buck Griffith is President of Family Upreach, Inc. In 2018, the Governor’s “Restorative Justice” Award was presented by the Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Dale Wainwright, TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier, and signed by Governor Greg Abbott. We received our first Governor’s Award in 1994 from then Governor George Bush. Our curriculum is recognized for its effectiveness in facilitating positive change among those incarcerated.

A native of Corpus Christi, David A. (Buck) Griffith has served as President since June 2002. He has been involved in jail-prison ministries since 1971 and has authored numerous books, study courses, and other materials to assist prisoners, recovering addicts, and their families. His latest book – “Loosed & Forgiven” – was released earlier this year. It is a guide to help those starting, growing, or reorganizing ministries to prisoners, their families, those seeking addiction recovery, or those who are newly released.

Trustees serving Family Upreach, Inc.: Jim Burrus, Don & Linda Crofton, James Curry, Lyndah Drum, Buck Griffith, Eric Jackson, Dave Olson, Gaylord Sturgess, Bobby & Barbara Tubbs, Craig Tucker, Gary Wyder

An All-Volunteer Army

An interesting feature is the absence of paid staff. Applicants are told: “We have no openings… no employees, but we need more volunteers!”

We do what we do with an all-volunteer army. Some have salaries through other sources…retired, work else-where part or full-time, self-employed. This allows 100% of gifts to go to the ministry!

Through this door…

A wide variety of Very Important People enter through this door seeking guidance. Some are released from prison and want to know what to do (or not do) to avoid going back. Others are affected family members in search of resources to aid loved ones addicted or locked up. Many come for faith-based 12-Step groups. Still others have a desire to “give back” in some way to make God’s world better and safer.

…..“Little Angels”

We call them “Little Angels” because they are innocent but hurt due to parents being in prison. No one wants them to grow up, break the law, and become part of the criminal element in society. We want them to know they are loved and valued. With available funds, we buy $25 Wal-Mart cards and touch in excess of 1,000 lives per year through this one effort. The child may need food, shoes, a sweater, or toy.

Life Changing Studies

Seven attractive courses are in workbook form: Sense of Self, Parenting, Freedom, Christian Marriage Skills, Attitudes & Behaviors, Addiction Recovery, Managing My Anger. Our new Managing My Dollar course is nearly ready, not an investment guide but ways to stretch funds and stop digging deeper holes.

PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY

When some enter our doors fresh from prison, the needs are obvious and basic: food, clothes, soap, basic hygiene. Even while locked up, we help family members. Incarceration is hard on families, especially a child. It is impossible to get help or a job if hungry and unclean. Steel-toed boots and tools are essential to show up the first morning on a new job. We cannot do “everything” but as resources increase, we do more and more.

VetNet

VetNet provides Life Skill studies free to our military -active, reserve, retired, and family members. Sadly, many end up in prison, having begun military careers with habitual, negative, and destructive conduct that worsened. Released, they face uphill battles. They deserve better! We prefer to help before legal any trouble starts. Life experiences take a toll on parents, spouses, children, and friends. We are here to help!

Relapse Prevention

Pat Watson offers helpful “Relapse Prevention” classes on Friday nights at our office. Pat sets individual sessions by appointment.

Rick Cantu conducts Winners Circle peer- support groups with immediate reports sent those on supervision. Meetings are faith and Bible-oriented.

SPANISH STUDIES

Gary Thompson and Frank Maxey teach weekly classes in Nueces County Jail. Gary has friends who help with Spanish studies. Soon all material will be available in Spanish and English. These classes have been continuously offered for over 42 years.

Numerous volunteers also teach in various prisons with material supplied to others utilizing it in many other locations.

LADIES

Glenda Watson leads a team of ladies in teaching the Nueces County Jail female population. She also interviews “Little Angel” applicants and assesses a myriad of other off-the-street needs.

When not busy with other matters, Glenda coordinates the Study-by-Mail program that currently has more than 30,000 students.

HEALTHY CHOICES

To the extent possible, Family Upreach helps clients find health, medical, dental, and dietary assistance. Support groups are encouraging with separate times for individuals, families, felons, and addicts. One group offers classes for children as adult parents seek help. A Street Sheet gives direction to alternative programs for services we do not offer such as child and spousal abuse.

HOMELESSNESS We continuously seek the best and safest housing for released offenders, including shelters. The history of offenses makes it more difficult to place some. We identify companies that will hire felons and offer a Second Chance. We aid those qualified to get cell phones to find jobs and get off the street. No single program meets all needs. Of necessity, we are part of a collaborative effort.

We hope this issue helps YOU understand us better and provides a tool for you to share “The Story of Family Upreach” with others.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

www.nlbm.org