New Mexico Conference of Churches
Inspired by God's call to reconciliation in diversity, we are churches joined together seeking healing, justice, unity, and peace through active ministries.
Congregational & Community Outreach of New MexicoSee information on Parole Empowerment Partners (PEP) The Congregation and Community Outreach of New Mexico Mission Statement:
The New Mexico Conference of Churches (NMCC) has worked for over 10 years reaching out to youth at risk and their families. The collaborative, Congregation and Community Outreach of New Mexico (CCONM), includes the NMCC and its PEP Project, the SAFE 2000 Youth and Family Program, the Wings Ministry program for families of the incarcerated, and the Baptist Ministers Union after school programs for youth. CCONM understands that governmental entities, faith communities and community organizations must join together to help solve our collective challenges. Bonding Youth, Congregations and Communities throughout New MexicoThe current mission of the Congregation and Community Outreach of New Mexico [CCONM] is to reduce the rate of cyclical multigenerational incarceration and youth recidivism. What do these terms mean? A child or youth with a parent in prison is seven times more likely than the general population to also end up in prison. There are families in New Mexico in which being imprisoned is almost a rite of passage. CCONM works against that expectation by providing positive role models and alternatives to high-risk behavior. A child or youth that gets into trouble once is likely to become a repeat offender if there is not effective intervention. CCONM partners identify these high-risk youth as soon as possible and coordinate efforts to keep them out of the juvenile justice system from then on. Often, the various people and agencies involved in a child's life are not aware of each other's intervention. The school may not know what the church is doing; the social worker may not be aware of the counselor's role. The juvenile probation and parole officer may not have access to intervention programs unless the youth is actually charged with a crime. And the parent or guardian, even if present in the child's life, may be overwhelmed by the situation and unaware of resources that could help. CCONM brings the NM Conference of Churches into collaboration with three Partner Agencies: the Baptist Ministers Union, the SAFE 2000 Youth and Family Program, and the Wings Ministry. The Baptist Ministers Union (a coalition of traditionally African American churches) provides tutoring, dropout prevention, life coaching, advocacy and recreation at church sites in Rio Rancho and South Broadway in Albuquerque. The SAFE 2000 Youth and Family Program identifies high-risk youth through referrals by law enforcement, juvenile justice and school and community counselors. Social workers do case management and referral to services, helping families get access to services. SAFE 2000 serves the Albuquerque metro area. The Wings Ministry operates Wings for L.I.F.E. (Lifeskills for Inmate Families and Education) with seminars in Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Roswell every two weeks for families and children of incarcerated parents and for youth at high risk of entering the juvenile justice system. The CCONM Partner Agencies employ the 40 Assets for Positive Youth Development, identified by the SEARCH Institute, as guidelines for understanding the situation of each young person in the program, for setting goals, and for evaluating progress. To find out how you can help, contact the NMCC office and ask for Daniel Erdman, CCONM Coordinator. All of these programs need dedicated volunteers from congregations in order to best serve the youth of these New Mexico communities. daniel.e@nmchurches.org, 505-459-0855 Parole Empowerment Partners (PEP)"Finishing the Race through Congregational and Community Connections" WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE HOW Volunteers provide a caring presence and build a positive relationship with the Youth. The Volunteer Team helps the Youth by being someone they can count on to be present for them, to listen and help with the practical Help gettuing into and/or staying in school as:
WHY A Volunteer Team can work together, bringing different gifts and perspectives for mutual encouragement and support. Congregation and Community Outreach of New Mexico The Parole Empowerment Partners project provides:
Who can form a team? Some Teams choose to add one or two participants from outside the group because of their particular expertise. Can a congregation form more than one team? For responses to further questions, to set up an informational session and learn more about the PEP project, or to arrange for training for a Team, please contact:
Mr. Stephen M. Tumolo Ms. Jo Ann Jantz The Rev. Daniel Erdman Or contact CCONM at: |
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