THE TRUTH TELLER Building Bridges for Tomorrow Volume 4, Issue 1 Truth Be Told Fall 2007

Inside This Edition Building Bridges for Tomorrow ...... 1

Bridge Builder Insight ...... 2

Carol’s Column ...... 2

Love Can Build A Bridge ...3

One Woman’s Journey ...... 3

New Board Members ...... 5 Truth Be Told will hold its 3rd annual fundraising luncheon Volunteer Opportunities ...... 5 Building Bridges for Tomorrow How Long Do I October 24, 2007 Have To Pay? ...... 6 12 - 1 p.m. Good Medicine ...... 6 Education Service Center: Region XIII Letter from a Graduate ...... 7 5701 Springdale Road Quilt Project ...... 7 Austin, Texas 78723

Calendar ...... 8 We invite you to attend this Make a Donation or free, informative and inspiring Contact Us ...... 8 one-hour presentation about our work.

Board of Directors and Staff ...... 8 RSVP by Friday, October 12 at 512-292-6200 or Visit our website at www.truth-be-told.org offi [email protected]. Truth Be Told rupted the normal fl ow of class and Carol’s Column Bridge Builder asked aloud how she was feeling. By Carol Waid, Insight That’s when the real pain gushed Founder and Director of Beyond out. The shame she felt for her Bars Program By Natalie Weinstein, crime has been overwhelming her Class Facilitator life. Her classmates were so gener- “Love can build a bridge, between your heart and mine. Love can build hat is a bridge? It connects ous in their encouragement and a bridge. Don’t you think it’s time? two places. It is a passage- acceptance. I was so proud. W Don’t you think it’s time?” way. It is a means to safely cross over an area that is dangerous or Seeing clearly... attended a memorial service otherwise impassable. One woman whose mother Ilast night for 25-year old Justin repeatedly abandoned the fam- “Davis” Armistead. Davis is the son The work we do at the Lock- ily and whose parents were later of our co-founder and dear friend, hart women’s prison is very much divorced said she didn’t understand Suzanne Armistead, and her hus- about building bridges. We are why those experiences had so band Dave Armistead. trying to connect these women to traumatized her, why they led her their future, to themselves, and to down the road to addiction. “Other Under a brilliant sapphire sky, one another. people go through this and are the Wildfl ower Center was baptized fi ne,“ she said. But I know why and in magic and mystery; open hearts, I began teaching Talk To Me/ told her: She has a sensitive soul. Crocodile size tears and laughter, Circle this summer. I can honestly And I would be proud to call this expressed that which cannot be say it is one of the most meaning- woman my friend. explained. Davis’ life and death ful experiences of my life. Every had built a bridge from one heart time I’m there, I see courage, pain, Working through pain... to another, calling us to cross over regret, strength, vulnerability, and One woman cried throughout that which separates us: fear of be- truth. her entire speech as she recounted ing vulnerable. Suzanne and Dave the ways her abusive husband tried stood in their grief and modeled Here are a few experiences that to kill her. She is deeply grateful to the elegance of grace, inviting us to come immediately to mind: be in prison, to be away from him, experience the mystery. to be safe for the fi rst time in years. Shining light on secrets... At the end of the service, I fl oated A woman shared that she was I honestly don’t know what the into one embrace after another, deeply afraid of telling her story future holds for the women in my growing lighter and brighter. It because once people knew what class. I don’t know if they can make was/is time for me to receive a new she’d done, they wouldn’t like her it across the bridge we are build- understanding of how death and anymore. Once she told her story, ing. I can’t see the other side yet. I birth hold hands. though, the secrets began to lose don’t know how long the construc- their power over her. She was an tion will take. And I’m not sure if I took a similar journey when inspiration to her fellow classmates. the building materials are strong I walked into the GEO Lockhart enough. facility, 7 years ago and was wel- Offering support... comed by women who were in- Another woman went into a But I do know that every time carcerated and living in a concrete kind of emotional shock after her I leave Lockhart, I truly feel that vault. With shy eyes, yet coura- speech. I could see that she was a healing has been done in this world. geous spirits, these women took million miles away, and I inter- And I am fi lled with hope. continued on page 3 The Truth Teller 2 Fall 2007 Carol’s Column Building Bridges continued from page 2 The bridge from incarceration into the “free” world is rickety and to feed their children, house their me down the path of a reality that unstable. Many women step into children, clothe their children, fi nd I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. I dead end roads and are captured medical care … and the list goes have heard stories of violence, in- by poverty, anger, rejection, and on. The facts are that the majority cest, loss of respect and dignity, loss, despair. These women need our of our women are met with doors loss, loss, yet I have witnessed the support. They need guidance and slammed and some that are gently elegance of grace. These women they need one-on-one interaction shut, but a shut door is a shut door. gave me the visual of an overused to enter the unknown and the term, “letting go”. unwelcoming of our society. They Truth Be Told wants your sup- immediately step onto free land port; we invite you to cross over I began this work because it with a label that says, “Can’t hire, that which can not be explained, fi lled a gap in me that was starving can’t help you, would like to, but only experienced, the bridge to for peace. The women that I have your record keeps me from being love. met, and taken into my heart, have able to give you a second chance”. given me way more than I could I receive one call after another, We invite you to join us in have asked for. They gave me a pleading for prayer that they will Building Bridges for Tomorrow. purpose. be given a job that will allow them One Woman’s Love Can Build A Bridge Journey By Nathalie Sorrell, Founder and By The Judds Director of Behind Bars Program I’d gladly walk across the desert That love and only love With no shoes upon my feet Can join the tribes of man . stood in front of our second To share with you the last bite I would give my heart’s desire Tever Talk to Me Class on the Of bread I had to eat So that you might see day she was to tell her story. It was I would swim out to save you The fi rst step is to realize autumn of 2000. Tightly built and In your sea of broken dreams That it all begins with you and me pretty, with long, dark blonde hair When all your hopes are sinkin’ and blazing blue eyes, she said “I Let me show you what love means (Repeat Chorus) hate men. If I don’t get rid of my anger, I’m gonna kill me one when (Chorus) When we stand together I get out of here.” No one laughed. It’s our fi nest hour Her hatred was palpable in the Love can build a bridge We can do anything, anything room. Between your heart and mine Keep believin’ in the power Love can build a bridge Then she told us of parents who Don’t you think it’s time? (Repeat Chorus) owned a nudist colony, and men Don’t you think it’s time? who used her as their sexual play- Love and only love thing while she was a toddler; the I would whisper love so loudly Love and only love mother who accidentally shot her Every heart could understand when she was aiming at T’s brother; the 34-year-old man who offered

continued on page 4 The Truth Teller 3 Fall 2007 Truth Be Told Fellowship instructor. Margaret times we’ve been overwhelmed and One Woman’s looked up at me, laughing, “I have discouraged—and sent requests for Journey 5 minutes – tell me everything prayer to the group that quickly about your prison work!” became 75 strong. Every time, God continued from page 3 showed up with some volunteer’s to protect her after she’d run away I laughed, sat down, and skin on, or intervened in Spirit to from home at 14, then beat her so breathed a prayer for brevity. Then change our attitudes, to relieve our severely he eventually broke every I spoke of the situation, and the fears and solve our problems. bone except for her legs so she’d still fears we were drowning in. Marga- be able to dance in topless bars and ret said “You need a prayer team. I I have a folder in my email earn money to turn over to him. will start it. Find people who do fi les called “Prison Pray-ers,” full of By the end of her story, we were all e-mail and we’ll get it going right requests and answers. Many of you shaking. No one was the same. now.” She wrote her e-mail address are reliable supporters. Some of you on a napkin and I took it home. have probably wondered why we so She was the fi rst speaker. That rarely send out prayer requests any class, triggered by her example, That was Wednesday. At more. Believe me, it’s not because spoke their secrets and shame-fi lled Saturday’s UT football game, I ran we don’t need prayer! It’s because stories until the last shy woman into another friend from a church God has grown Truth Be Told and left was blue-lipped and trem- we neither attended anymore. She the women we serve have increased bling, knowing she too would have and I stood in line in the stadium in numbers until Carol and I can to match T’s courage and re-live women’s room, and by the time we no longer take individual prayer her personal horror. We all swam fi nished talking about our prison requests from our classes, and keep in graphic memories spilled out, work – it was an hour later and a coordinated prayer letter going. fl ooding a prison classroom with the game was two-thirds over. She (Perhaps some one of you might dark nightmares that they had lived. informed me of her Women’s Bible feel called to coordinate this as your study that met on Tuesdays during volunteer service?) After each woman spoke her the hours we were at the prison. piece, we saw that we could not They would hold us up weekly as Some of you reach out to us, move onward through the classes they met and prayed. and now and then we send despera- without guidance. Carol and I were tion pleas to you. Always you come not trained counselors. We were When I emailed Margaret, she through and God comes through afraid these women would break, said “That was my fi rst prayer re- and the next piece of the Bridge to psychologically, and we’d have taken quest – God provide a prayer group Truth be Told’s tomorrow is put them deeper into trouble instead of for the day you’re there.” into place. helping them out. I get goose bumps on my legs Of all the donations that are The day after our last woman telling this story every time! given to make us able to serve these spoke, I walked into Magnolia Cafe women’s needs – none is more and saw Barbara, a friend I’ve loved We have grown, changed, come important than the heartfelt prayers since our grown sons were 2-year- far, done a lot – not ONE THING offered up for their sake. Thank olds in Sunday School together. has been done without prayer, and you for putting your hearts and Her face lit up and she beamed: God’s spirit guiding and supporting minds to God’s use for Truth Be “We were just talking about you!” this work, including our calling to Told’s needs to be met. She introduced me to Margaret be a Service Organization instead continued on page 5 – who had been her Bible Study of a Christian Ministry. Many The Truth Teller 4 Fall 2007 Building Bridges One Woman’s wives, daughters and they are, in my opinion, a part of who we are Whether you are an experienced Journey and they are a part of who I am. volunteer or someone who is new continued from page 4 to the volunteer world, we invite As such, my wish for this you to learn more about Truth Be I hope you’ll come up to me at organization, and for the men Told, and discover how you might the October 24th fundraiser and and women who support it, is to partner with us. All of your gifts say, “I am one of the Prison Pray- continue to allow women in prison and talents make the bridge for ers!” I’d so love to thank you and access to true healing in the form of tomorrow more solid and we look hug you – You have been bridging Truth Be Told. forward to the experience of work- the gap between prison and the Free ing with you. world with us for 7 years now! Meet Kimberly Vincent The bottom line is simple: As I refl ect upon our theme Truth Be Told depends on the sup- New Board of “Building Bridges for Tomor- port of our dedicated volunteers in Members row”, I know that it is only through order to accomplish our mission. the dedication and support of our With your help, a bridge to tomor- ruth Be Told welcomes two volunteers that our work is even row will be built to last for many Tmembers to our board of direc- possible. tomorrows to come. tors, Alison Brock and Kimberly Vincent. As a new board member and Volunteer volunteer coordinator for Truth Opportunities Meet Alison Brock Be Told, I am honored to work with an organization that strives PR Team Member I am extremely honored to be to enhance the lives of a forgotten This member will help with able to serve Truth Be Told, an or- population, women in prison. But public awareness and media cover- ganization I have long admired and we know that in order to accom- age of our work, monthly Truth respected. plish our goals a solid bridge must Be Told Behind and Beyond Bars be formed for the women who need meetings, other public events. This My intent over the next year us most. That bridge ensures that person will partner with Robert is to be able to bring to this orga- incarcerated women can cross over Doyal who produces the newsletter, nization the same joy, prosperity from a life behind bars to the love, website and brochure. They will and excitement that this program support and resources critical to liv- build and maintain bridges with brings to women inside and outside ing a productive life in society. contributors and supporters of our prison. I can attest to the fact that work. Media, public relations or IT there is no other organization that This simply cannot be done experience would be helpful. is doing what Truth be Told is do- without your help. As volunteers ing for women in prison. for Truth Be Told, you are the Fundraising bridge that an incarcerated woman This volunteer will work Women comprise the fastest will have to a better life. Through primarily with the Raising More growing population in our criminal your activism and support, many Money (RMM) structure for our justice system, and Texas witnessed women will feel the strength of a annual fundraiser and the yearly a 1,141% increase in the its female bridge built by the love, dedication, and bi-yearly events and presenta- prison population from 1977 to prayers and support of our phe- tions done to honor and connect 2004. These women are mothers, nomenal volunteer force! with other donors, and work with continued on page 6 The Truth Teller 5 Fall 2007 Truth Be Told to do to prove myself? It is heart still paying for my crime after being Volunteer breaking to tell your children that tried, sentenced and time served. you have an interview and then to When is my debt to society paid in Opportunities tell them that you didn’t get the full? continued from page 5 position. While I was in prison other creative ideas that volunteers I could not support my children bring in for fundraising. Non- because the job that I was given Good Medicine By Peggy Lamb, Class Facilitator profi t or any previous fundraising only earned extra time that went experience would be helpful. toward my sentence, not a real wage. So, my children suffered and can’t stop smiling. Every time one Party Planner went without things. Now that I Iof my sisters shares her “Hallelu- jah Moment” and Rhonda teaches We have an ongoing need for a am out of prison, the situation has us the sign language for it, my smile person with event planning skills. not changed very much. Without a widens and more joy bubbles up. This volunteer may elect to serve on job, I am still unable to support my Acceptance, waking up, family pho- or off the Board of Directors. This family. tos, baptism, rebirth, birds singing, person will coordinate logistics, music, grandmas letters, children’s decorating, food, and other details I have conditions that must be voices, grandson, compassion, for several functions held through- met while being on Parole. One spirit, animals, happiness, gradua- out the year. They will work with is to maintain employment. How tion from school, puppies and a son the Vounteer Coordinator, super- can I do that when no one will hire returning safely from Iraq. A joy vising a team of volunteers to help me? On every application there is shared is good medicine. with each event. that horrid question: Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If I am lucky I may run across the ques- I came to class feeling tired, jan- How Long Do I tion: Have you been convicted of a gled, sad and overworked. Relation- felony within the past seven years? ship challenges, car problems, and Have To Pay? And even with that question it still the two books on tape I got from By Rutanya, Former Inmate depends on what the charge was the library didn’t work. I needed for. those tapes for the drive to Dal- ven with more than 5 years of las (ugh!) after class. I desperately Ework experience and training It is so easy to get discouraged wanted to call Carol and Nathalie since leaving prison, fi nding em- and give up and turn back to a life and plead, “I’m too stressed, and I ployment is not easy for a person of crime. I have had interviews can’t come!” But, I was facilitating that has a criminal background where the employers are very im- today’s class so that escape route history. From July 7th to August pressed and eager to start the hiring was closed. The theme for today 30th this year, I have applied for process even after the knowledge was “Hallelujah Moments” and over 107 positions, I have gone on of my past has been revealed and most of my day had been fi lled with 20 interviews, and still no job. but I still do not get chosen. It is “Oh shit” moments! very frustrating. How long do I have to pay? So many things distract me My crime is older than a decade. How long is really long enough? from standing still, breathing, and noticing the small wondrous I have excellent references, not I know that I have a lot to offer “Hallelujah Moments” of my life. just personal ones but from previ- any company who would be will- Those moments that open the pores ous employers. What do I need ing to hire me. But it is like I am continued on page 7

The Truth Teller 6 Fall 2007 Building Bridges Good Medicine Quilt Project continued from page 6 of gratitude in my skin and per- fume the air I breathe. Like reading about Norman, the blind Labrador Retriever that rescued a drowning woman.

As the women come to class, they each give me a hug which is full-bodied, full-hearted hugs that begin to melt my distress. As we create our “Hallelujah Dance”, all of our gratitude creates a vortex of love. Our smiles are big and beauti- ful.

Once again, these courageous women of Lockhart have healed me and brought me home to the essentials of a life well lived. We are the Sisterhood of Good Medicine.

Letter from a Graduate Pictured above (left to right) is Carol Waid and Gigi. Why am I here? From Gigi: “This quilt means so much to me -- as the 10th from a Talk To Me student recipient, I feel like I am now a part of Truth Be Told history. My quilt is a symbol of the journey I began with Truth Be Told I needed a chance to talk about my in prison and completed fi ve long years later in the Free World. life, to take a look at it and share it I know I am a better person for having made this journey, and I with others, that is the main rea- attribute my success to God, my precious family and the strong son why I am here. The reason for and wonderful women of Truth Be Told.” telling my story is to open the eyes of mothers every where, that they for all the neglect, hurt, and pain The only speaking and listening I’ll should know that although we need I have put my kids through. The be doing for a long time is going to money to survive it is not every- audience I would like to reach is be with my children, I don’t have thing in life, what’s everything in Mothers. We can’t go on living for any other plans to speak in public, life besides GOD and our children? ourselves, once we bring children I just want to be a better mother, into this world, we have to change that’s my 2nd goal in life. My 1st is The deep down truth is that I am our way of life, our priorities and to get closer to GOD. ready to change my life to make up live for them. The Truth Teller 7 Fall 2007 Calendar Make a Donation or Contact Us Truth Be Told is a 501(c)(3) non-profi t organization, OCTOBER 2007 and your donations are tax deductible. Donations may 12 Luncheon RSVP Deadline be made securely online at www.truth-be-told.org or 512-292-6200 mailed to Truth Be Told, PO Box 161763, Austin, offi [email protected] Texas 78716. You can reach us at 512-292-6200 or by e-mail at offi [email protected]. 24 Building Bridges luncheon 12-1 p.m. Board of Directors and Staff Education Service Center: Region XIII Jackie Borcherding, chair of the board 5701 Springdale Road; Austin, Texas 78723 Alison Brock, media and PR liasion NOVEMBER 2007 Chris Close, director of strategic planning 16 Discovery Class Graduation Robert Doyal, director of communications Lockhart prison from 3-5 p.m. Nathalie Sorrell, founder and director of behind bars program 19 Board Meeting: 6-8 p.m. Debbie Stover, treasurer/project manager

DECEMBER 2007 Carol Waid, founder and director of beyond bars program 6 Donor Appreciation Event Shannon Holtzendorf, administrative assistant 7 God in Human Form presentation Kim Vincent, volunteer coordinator

17 Board Meeting: 6-8 p.m.

Austin, TX 78716 TX Austin, PO Box 161763 Box PO PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK FOR PRINTING PURPOSES