PAGE 16, WIflTY FREEPRESS, WFDNESDAY, NOVEBR14,, W90, ILocked iLnto learnrng By Trudie Zavadovics Helen Snellings of Whiitby is 'locked' into ber work as a volunteer. Eacb week she tutors inniates at the Whitby Jail tbrough a literacy valunteer prograni, one of several volunteer programs affered ta, inniates. The ominous slamniing af tbick steel doars bebind ber stili bas a baunting ring even thougb she knows sbe s free-ta leave. Two years ago, Snelling deci- ded she wanted ta, give sanie- tbing back ta tbe coiniunt . That's wben she decided ta apply ta volunteer at the Whitby Jai . «I think it says in the Bible not ta, neglect tbe elderly cbildren or those in jail,» says Anellings. "I had driven by (the jail) many turnes and tbought I wauld like to work here. I started working witb the librarian distributing books ta ininates.» Snellings explains that she learned of the iteracy tutoring prograin tbrough a newsletter *And applied. She bas been doing it ever since and says it's one af the rnast rewarding tbings sb.e can do. "ltes more than just teaching the algbabet, it's relating ta people. Today Snellings is about ta, meet a new student, ber third since she's been there. "There's a great sense of satis- faction,» says Snellingsy "espe- cially ýwhen I see- the ininate eager. I came away really refresbed. They secin ta trust volunteer workers because we're net earning Tnoney. There is a real bond here.» Snellings thinks that illiteracy is one of the main reasons why rnany people land in jail in the 'fiy hn of theinscîves as stupid when they're really quite remarkable. They're smart and tallented. And I hope I could make a change in their lives. They're bohind physical bars, but their awn bars are illiteracy. It's remarkable ta see the progress. They help me as rnuch as r help thein Y Snellings was introduced ta, ber new student and things see- She says she also leels great satisfaction in the knowledge that as the ininates learn ta read and write with greater fluency, it apens doors and gives inmates a mare positive raIe in the coin- munit. Altbough there are the funde- mentaIs of reading and writing that ininates need ta Ilearn, Sneî- lings and other volunteers try ta adapt reading material ta the particular interests of the people they are tutaring. eW are flexible. We adapt ourselves ta the person, ta, the Remember that dream yuhad last mght? Si! It's me, your conscience. Living here in your dreamns is like having passes to the world's most exciting movies.. .with you and me in the starrnng roles! Sometinies you re the monster that swallowed the Universe... .or the iast of the great romnantics .. .and some- times you're a hero -doing extraordinary things and making people's lives better. - My very favourite movie is the one where you reach deep within us and change the world, simply by giving time and mon ey to help the people around us. And lice all great stars, you make helping causes you care about look easy. Could we watch that one tonight? SI S Imagine is a national program to encourage giving and volunteening. 4 A. tét%%4 4 4 4.ib * 6 té i*4 Pt î Ili % t t inrnates. «Ininates mit want tc letters ta f-amily member wanted ta write a letter dad in the hospital. The also job applications thal can practice 50 they can wbat ta expect wben appîy maj here are also d anas, catalogues and words.» mcd ta go welI. Althougjb he doesn't knc long be wilI be in Wihitby Ç bas more~ positive plans a relcase. Going ac kta se one of theni. That's w voluntccred for the litera, grain. It also belps ta pi time. «IU planned on going back to school next year and take mecbanic:7 says ptes iae have missed wben 1 was in * school. This will help me with improvements. It wiIl train me back into studying.» He's got haif the battie licked with a positive attitude. He's taken responsibility for his situa- tion, plans to make the best of bis turne and make a positive start when he gets back into the community. The literacy program is just one of many volunteer prograins operated at the jail. Volunteer co-ordinator Judy Skinner bas volunteers from a Il aspects of the community. Other prograins include Alco- bolics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Salvation Army, education upgrading, correspon- dence courses, library prograins, church prograns, counsellin g, Bible 'study and Djurbai Youth Employment Services.- The John Howard Society offers help in -, areas of parole, housing, job searches and family support while people are in jail. The volunteer programs began 'at the jail 13 years ago. Many of the prograins establisb a link wbich is continued by the ininate photo once he/she gets out. * This year, they are starting a new lifeskills-program which will deal with basic needs such as cwrite self-awareness, self-esteem, coin- ta bis manag ~pent. re are Skinn r says that the prograin Lt they evolved because many of the Lknow current voluniteers expressed an ring for interest in doing a lifeskills pro- river's gramn crss It's much needed by alI the cos inmates,» says Skinner. «It's been a long time in coming. ow how Administration' is very suppor- Jail, he tive and bave recognized the fter bis need.» bhool is The jail now bas 93 volunteers. iry be More are needed. tcy pro- «Saine of the best recruiting is ass the dane by the volunteers thein- selves," says Skinner. Volunteers honored Durhamn Hall at the Oshawa Holiday Inn was the site of the annual Whitby Jail volunteer recognto dinner, Thursday," Thirty-four volunteers received service pinds based on years of volunteer servi ce. Three support ta the farnuly of inmatcs. Ron E. is in large part responsible for the very successful and ivell-attenbd Narcotics Anonymnous prpgram being offered in fthe. jail. He was involved '- ithe early planning stages aXrMhe worked with jail volunteers received thé staff tg ensure.that the security of prestigiaus community service theX'fstitution, and the integrity 1ward. of Narcotics Anonymaus, would The award is given ta those be honored and respected. Due to volunteers providing outstanding bis efforts, there are programs service ta Whitby Jail ininates. available ta both the men and The recipients of this award were women incarcerated in Whitby Doris Arnott, Ron E. and Rev. Jail. Derek Skelton. Rev. Skielton began working as Arnott has been active as a a volunteer at the Whitby Jail in volunteer at the jail since May, May, 1987, in response ta the 1988. Sbe bas provided services need of Roman Catholic ininates. as a teacher and tutor, working As a permanent deacon in bis primarily witb protective custody denomination, Rev. Skelton leads inmates at the jail. weekly -liturgical services for In addition te ber teacbing inmates, provides, spiitual skills, she bas provided guidance and counselling, and encouragement and friendsbip, arranges for sacramental services and taken ber volunteer as necded. responsibilities beyond tbe Ail service pins and awards VOLUNTEER Helen Snellings explains at Whitby J ail. hiBoe the literacy program to a new inmateChiBoi wHIBYJAIL VOLTJNTEE-RS Location: Whitby Jail Pu?ôOsprovide as many services and pragrnis as are needed ta, facilitate an- inmate's re-entry into the community; to help provide new challenges/goals. Fundng Mfinistiy of Correctional Services; donations froin variaus groups. Contact: Judy Skinner 668-7791