|
Since the program was created at Sing Sing in 1995, more than 600 men have
earned their Certificate in Ministry and Human Services. We have expanded
from Sing Sing into 6 other New York State prisons: Green Haven, Fishkill,
Arthurkill, Woodbourne, Eastern and Mid-Orange. There is a waiting list of prisons
that want us to open branches at their facilities. Only a shortage of volunteers
and funding prevents us from opening more branches.
What do our instructors say about the program?
|
This has been, without exaggeration, one of the finest classes I have taught at
Green Haven, or for that matter, almost anywhere in my 35 years of teaching. I
am genuinely going to miss those guys, having formed some very close ties to
all of them. They have treated me like a king. This has been one of the most
personally rewarding experiences of my entire career.
|
| |
Dr. Duane Smith, Dutchess Community College professor and volunteer faculty
member for Rising Hope at Green Haven Correctional Facility. |
|
I truly miss Eastern as it kept me on my toes and my knees. It helped me to be
a better pastor and I believe a better human being. I cannot wait to get back.
|
| |
Randy Yerkes, Pastor and volunteer faculty member for Rising Hope
at Eastern C.F. |
|
What I experienced in Rising Hope this past year was some of the most important ministry
that I have ever done.
|
| |
Rev. Ernie Vander Kruik volunteer faculty member for Rising Hope
at Mid-Orange C.F. |
What do our graduates say about the program?
| The CMHS program is more than an educational service, it is a spiritual
phenomenon that inspires hope as it gives new life and purpose through the
awakening of the potential that was dormant inside myself and others like me.
This program has taught me the value of human commitment to one another as we
look beyond our differences and see our similarities.
|
| |
Jerry Pitts |
| As a Muslim, this Christian-based program has shown me that there is hope
for the religions of the world to work together.
|
| |
Mark Garroway |
| Because I had the opportunity to attend college prior to coming to prison,
I was already familiar with the many advantages education offers. What I was
not familiar with was the kind of investment in character development that was
a focal point of the Certificate Program. It was one of the most formative and
significant periods of my adult life.
|
| |
Gregory Frederick |
| My time in the certificate program has been the best combination of academic
and social experience I have ever gone through. The CMHS program greatly
influenced my decision to begin service and ministry to the [Sing Sing]
population as a leader in the Alternatives to Violence support group, peer
counselor in the AIDS program, and editor of the facility newspaper. I have
completed my BS through Nyack College, and attained my Masters of Professional
Studies [from NY Theological Seminary].
|
| |
Johnny Conyers |
| Participating in the CMHS program has been an enlightening experience that
I do not think I would have found anywhere else. It was a gift of sight, for
metaphorically I was living in the land of the blind. It caused me to look
inside of myself and examine my own sense of forgiveness, culpability and
accountability for my actions past and present. This process of self-examination
caused me to change my outlook of what is possible. Since graduating from the
CMHS program, I have become a positive part of the fabric of my community here
at Sing Sing. I look forward to becoming a productive member of my family,
community and society.
|
| |
Rory Anderson |
| My Islamic thinking and beliefs have not changed. I do appreciate the fact
that the CMHS course has allowed me to grow. I have learned to respect opinions
outside of Islam and also to come to common terms with people of other faiths which
is a sign of growth. Before entering the CMHS program I could not and would not
hear of anything that was not Islamic. My Islamic conviction is very strong.
But I have learned that people of other faiths have strong convictions also. So
I came to the conclusion that Allah knows best because He tells us in the Quran
that He (Allah) has given everyone a book and a way, and that we should all move
forward in good works, and that to Him is our return. I plan on furthering my
education so that my dream of becoming an asset to the community becomes manifest.
|
| |
Wade Frazier |
| My participation in the program was and is a blessing. This endeavor required
me to exercise diligence. The academic expectations not only broadened my horizons
mentally, but they also rigorously stretched my sense of self-discipline. The long
nights provided me with a reminder that hard work breeds a well-appreciated sense
of accomplishment.
|
As far as my faith and beliefs are concerned, they were tried, tested, revamped
and reinforced. In other words, my faith and beliefs were taken to a deeper level.
Despite the various clashes of ideas, religions, and outlooks, a higher purpose
was served when I was forced to open my mind to see outside of my particular box;
within which I was previously quite comfortable. The result was a greater propensity
to see the common ground with others, rather than merely allowing our differences
to prevent cooperation.
|
| |
Anthony Knight |
| Max Weber said: "A person can only succeed if he or she recognizes the demon
who holds the fiber of his or her very life." My demon was inferiority. God
gets all the glory and the faculty of the CMHS program gets my deepest reverence.
As each of them became a light that reached into my darkness to show me hope.
Through this program God took what was evil and turned it to the good. He took
my mind out of prison as He turned this prison into a university and allowed me
to see the greater potential that He birthed in me the day He gave me life.
|
I wish to thank each one of my classmates for showing and sharing with me God's
gift that lives in each one of them. I thank my professors for allowing me the
honor of being their student. I will use these gifts to be a blessing to others
as you have been a blessing to me.
|
| |
Jerry Pitts |
| Before I left Green Haven, I was giving reading assignments to the guy in the
cell next to me. I had him read about Jonah. Then I asked him questions. The
reason why I told him to read Jonah was his belief that he was ignoring signals
from God to change his life around. That's when I remembered your class. So,
I had him read Jonah and showed him through a question and answer period that
no matter how he tried, he couldn't escape God's call. He got hooked after that
and wanted me to give him more assignments.
|
| |
Joe S. |
| I have learned that I can achieve positive things by applying myself if I want.
Also I have learned to understand and even respect other individual faiths, which enables me
to now be capable of communicating with other people of different races and creeds
with no prejudicial opinions. Mainly I have learned that there are some white people
with kind and patient hearts.
|
| |
Jonathan M. |
| My thinking has changed. Violence is not the answer to solving problems. Violence
only brings more violence. I have learned that forgiving someone is the right
thing to do, because to withhold it only breeds hate inside of you and doesn't allow
you to grow. I have learned that it is not about what religion is best but about
your individual relationship with God. So now I don't get caught up in religion but
instead I focus on my own relationship with the Creator. I have decided to
cultivate such togetherness with the lord by beginning each day with Him, before the
clamor of the day has a chance to begin.
|
The CMHS program has opened my eyes and heart as well as my mind to others'
feelings and beliefs and has been a positive move that I am very thankful for.
My reading skills as well as people skills have been greatly improved because of
the program and teachers I have had.
|
| |
Sylvester D. |
| My behavior has definitely changed a lot. Prison is a place where a lot of
people need counseling. Therefore, I behave like a counselor whenever I get a
chance to counsel somebody by studying their body language, listening more,
thinking about right time, right place, etc. Sometimes I behave like a philosopher,
trying to figure out what is morally good and what is morally evil. My relationship
with my family is also better than before. They always loved me and wanted for me
to achieve my education, so I am making them happy. It helps us relate much better
than before as well because we are having so much to talk about now.
|
| |
Prateek S. |
| The CMHS program is about more than just the study of religion. It instilled
within me an obligation to serve, and to help make a difference in the lives of others,
because I learned that is what Jesus did.
|
The most important way my life changed was by the volunteer professors. In their
faces, voices, and actions, I saw, heard, and experienced God. These professors
did not accept mediocrity. They were always demanding and challenged me to do my best.
I felt obligated to do my best because they gave me nothing less than their best.
They helped create an atmosphere of love, respect, and unity among the members of my class.
These professors also helped me to adopt the attitude of doing my best in every aspect
of my life.
|
| |
James A. Russell |
| CMHS has changed my way of looking at life. I no longer see life as a place
which I am just passing through. I understand that while passing through this
life I can stop and make changes for those who will follow behind me.
|
| |
Ronnie Y. |
| Should Jew love only Jew, Christian only Christian, Muslim only Muslim? The Bible,
in fact, urges Christians to increase "in love to one another and to all"
(1 Thessalonians 3:12, 5:15). How different are we? Do we not breathe the same
air, feel the same sunshine on our faces and when it rains does it not fall on all?
The CMHS program teaches this: that those who appreciate God and his purposes are one body.
|
| |
Tim M. |
| This program has allowed me to look within myself and has cultivated my potential
as a human being. I am indebted to you all and plan to repay by serving as an
example of what education can do in a person's life.
|
| |
Juan G. |
| The greatest thing I've learned while being in prison and in this course is self-forgiveness
and how to look into myself before I can critique others or lend my hand to someone in need.
|
| |
James J. |
| I have decided to start my reflections from 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 "Treasures in Clay Jars."
I do believe I have found Treasure within this clay jar of mine, and I can truly say that
it has been unveiled to me, at least in part, by the CMHS program.
|
I have decided to start my reflections from 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 "Treasures in Clay Jars."
I do believe I have found Treasure within this clay jar of mine, and I can truly say that
it has been unveiled to me, at least in part, by the CMHS program.
|
| |
Mike S. |
| The CMHS program is an integral building block for men in prison who wish to be born again,
and lead new lives. I personally believe that there is no greater investment a person can
make than to invest in another human being's life. The CMHS program invests in the lives of
human beings that have been written off.
|
| |
Darryl Butler |
| The most significant contribution I received from the CMHS program was the challenge that
it posed. It elicited the best of my mental capacity as it helped me realize I have what it
takes to make a difference. I saw little hope and lacked motivation. I now see purpose and
meaning in even the small things in life. Having concluded that I can indeed make a difference,
not just in my life but the lives of others as well, gives me the energy and motivation to keep
on keeping on.
|
| |
Luis Vega |
| I must admit that participating in the CMHS program was inspiring and fulfilling. It was a
spiritual and academic challenge that opened my mind, strengthened my Rastafarian faith, and
brightened my vision.
|
I believe strongly that my outlook and my approach to life has matured more than ever before,
helping me to understand that I am an asset (not a liability) to my people and community.
|
Thank you very much for caring and offering your unconditional support. Remember to spread the word
that we are not mere convicts, but we are God's children who made terrible mistakes that we
are paying for with our lives.
|
| |
Desmond W. |
|
| The CMHS program is an integral building
block for men in prison who wish to be born
again, and lead new lives. I personally believe
that there is no greater investment a person can
make than to invest in another human being’s
life. The CMHS program invests in the lives of
human beings that have been written off.
|
| |
Darryl Butler |
|
Max Weber said: "A person can only succeed if he or she recognizes the demon who holds
the fiber of his or her very life." My demon was inferiority. God gets all the glory
and the faculty of the CMHS program gets my deepest reverence. As each of them became
a light that reached into my darkness to show me hope. Through this program God took
what was evil and turned it to the good. He took my mind out of prison as He turned
this prison into a university and allowed me to see the greater potential that He
birthed in me the day He gave me life.
|
|
I wish to thank each one of my classmates for showing and sharing with me God’s gift that
lives in each one of them. I thank my professors for allowing me the honor of being their
student. I will use these gifts to be a blessing to others as you have been a blessing to me.
|
| |
Jerry Pitts |
|
