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Untitled Document
E.C.H.O (Ex-Convicts Having Opportunities) |
Mission Statement:
We Are A United Community of Concerned
Citizen, Who In An Atmostsphere of Dignity
and Respect aim to inspire and Empower
Ex-Convicts and Their Families.
How We Are Organized
Executive Commitee
Founding Members:
Catherine Lambie
Michelle Nicholes
Linda Toren
Kathie Batchelder
Karen Maines
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Juanita Gearhart
Rachael Luckey
Joyce Rummerfield
Barbara Dowell
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Rules of Engagement
The Current Executive Commitee is Comprised by the
Founded Members, as Listed Above. All New Members
Shall be Voted in by Existing Executive Commitee Members.
All Members Will be E.C.H.O representatives and
Adhere to Rules of Confidentiality.
Members Will Meet Weekly.
Decisions Will be Made Via Mutual Consent or Majority
Vote, Follwoing Discussion.
All Sessions are Closed, with Exception to Invited Guests.
Blue Mountain Coalition for Youth and Families, BMCYF, is our
Fiscal Agent and all Money Transactions will be
Handled Through Them. This Also Give us Our Non-Profit
Status Under Their Umbrella.
Working Timeline
We Are in This Step √
Identify Needs
Gather Information
Organizing
Training √
Fundraising / Presentations
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Press Releases
Establish / Confirm Service Providers
Outreach
Start Support Group
Start Services!
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Our Goals
Own a Building
Two Laptops
Computer, fax copier and printer
One Stop Parolee Resource Center
Provide Life Training Skills
Counseling, Meditation, and Support
Resource Library
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Develop Community Awareness
Courage To Change Curriculum
Journaling
Halfway House
Advocacy
Letter Writing Campaign
Legislative Organizing
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Classes and Training
Parenting
Life Skills
Anger Management
Mental health
Behavorial Health
Substance Abuse |
Nutrition
Job Search
Training Education
College and Tech School Information
Green Living
Critical Thinking |
Helpful Links
Calaveras Probation Department
Mother Lode Job Training
Blue Mountain Coalition for Youth and Families
The Echo Story
It all started on day as Michelle Nicholes, he granddaughter Adriana and I were driving home after a very
frustrating visit to her son in prison. Despite our best efforts, and our attempts at doing "everything right, " we
had been unable to take in Adriana, age 13 Months, to visit her father behind glass ...A long, hard, often
heartbreaking, often infuriating, story of an involvement in a very broken system that leaves families
emotionally and financially drained, ashamed and feeling powerless in he attempt to support
and sometimes rescue a loved one caught up in the maze that passes for the "justice system" in this
country. Michelle, a brave, smart woman who faced her checkered past and her mistakes to make deep changes in herself
and in her life is a dedicated mother and grandmother, the pillar and the glue that holds a large and
beautiful family of five children and their mates for some, and seven grandchildren. There is a lot of love and the door
is always open for less fortunate, or a friend in trouble.Over the years, Michelle has learnt -the hard way-how to speak up for
herself and for her children, how to be tenacious, and articulate in navigating a system that much too often makes one feel worthless,
incompetent, and always at fault.
Michelle and I were venting, and sharing out sadness and frustration about the day, trying to think of what else
we could have done or said...she said,
"You know, there are so many of us in this situation. We feel isolated, inadequate, lost, depressed, we give up....what if we
could start a support group for families and parents with a loved on in prison?We could help each other, educate ourselves, and
make sure that the kids escape the all too common cycle of probation or parole violation that keeps our jails and prisons
full of young people who are often in need of mental health counseling, and support and of rehab, but instead get prison? The center would be a perfect place for that!
(The Center being the Blue Mountain Coalition for Youth and Families, where I am currently the director.)
That is when E.C.H.O. (Ex-Convicts Having Opportunities) was born. Staff person Juanita Gearhart and I offered to facilitate the group
and to provide any support we could. Initially there were only four of us, Michelle having invited Joyce Rummerfield to join in; Joyce
is a powerful force in the Miwuk community of West Point, a long time participant in our center in many capacities. her youngest
son is in prison, and her family faces the sorrows and frustrations that Michelle's family has to deal with.
Sharing, talking, hearing everyone's story told in this powerful and safe circle, seeing strategies emerge, creative ideas
being explored, discussed, and witnessing the hope, the respect, and the energy being generated at each meeting was, for me, a deep
and motivating experience.
There certainly is a lot of talk about "community based organizing, empowerment of this group or that..," but rarely does it happen,
for a lack of space, or a person stepping to be a leader...so it is truly exciting and inspiring to be part of the ECHO experience; the group has
been growing by the meeting, each time a new face, and a new story embraced by all ...Already the group has made several plans, and has learnt
and shared a lot of information, and I believe that there is nothing they can't do ...Mothers are finding their voice, are being heard and affirmed by others who understand their struggle, their sorrow and their shame.
I feel that BMCYF is appropriately and actively fulfilling it's mission of service to the community by providing the space, and the resources
this powerful grassroots movement to exist and expand. Stay tuned, I'm sure you will hear of ECHO quite a lot in the future!
~ Catherine Lambie, director of the BMCYF
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