Date: 9/11/2018 01:59 PM CDT

Subject: GrahamVets Program Staff need

Reply ID: rt6d

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GrahamVets has always focused on behaviour change. Due to our common bond as military vets we are able to encourage each other to rekindle those traits that keep the military an honorable group that help others, not harm society. Prison is an environment where most are forced into criminal thinking and behaviour in order to survive. We flip the script.

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There are now administrative needs that go way beyond what a staff volunteer can do. Just to manage the case work, individual packages and paperwork required to support IDOC "Earned Good Time Credit" (EGTC) which relates directly to sentence reduction and court documentation. This is a full time requirement.

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To liaison with Veterans Court, Work Release Programs, VA support and veteran NGO will require an immense amount of time using phone, email and internet that no inmate is ever permitted to do. Even the internal coordination between prison departments is an entire days worth of effort each week.

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At a minimum I calculate an immediate need of 3-full days per week.

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We have not even kicked off the full cycle of 32 classes designed to meet EGTC requirements. We started 4, just to get it off the ground and help our members learn some useful skills.

One idea of many, is to drive in a semi trailer equipped with sewing machines, or wood work benches that would enable our vets to do things like sew and fill sandbags (shipped to flood zones). Build house frames (shipped to Habitat projects). Sew clothing, tents, blankets and mattresses (for FEMA type refugee kits).

Instead of sitting around playing poker year after year - let's give back in service to society.

An alternative would be a civilian, paid through outside resources, like a University, the VA or vet NGO who is cleared to access IDOC like the dozens of teachers and counsellors that work her now.

These are just a few ideas. Thanks for asking. Maybe one day we can make this happen. David

Date: 9/13/2018 1:35PM CDT

Subject: Chow improvements

Don't understand how "donations" of food items work when given to prisons. Each meal is serving 1500 people. In the past 2 months we have had first rate, quality yogurt and travel protein packs (one boiled egg and a spoonful of cheese and sausage bites. What luxury and a real blessing!

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Someone out there is showing us some kindness and mercy. Thank you whoever you are. And God bless the staff willing to share it with us as extra to our normal meal size.

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Counting my blessings. David