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By Jared McKiernan –
The Salvation Army’s Correctional Services held a Kindred Summit in Salt Lake City in alignment with the American Correctional Association‘s (ACA) 2014 Congress of Correction last week.
The two-day Army summit “Through Darkness, Arise and Shine,” which ran from Aug. 18-19, showcased Army programs and resources from each of the four U.S. territories for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. Delegates also had a chance to explore ACA workshops from Aug. 15-20 and network with other corrections professionals from around the country.
“I see the tireless efforts of The Salvation Army with the ACA as a synergy to achieve the goal of restoring as many incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals as possible back into society,” said ACA President Christopher Epps.
Commissioners David and Barbara Jeffrey, The Salvation Army’s national commander and national president of women’s ministry, respectively, attended several events.
“The Salvation Army’s perspective in the ACA is an honor and a pleasure,” Jeffrey said. “We’re here to serve others.”
Commissioner David Jeffrey presented The Salvation Army’s Chaplain of the Year Award to Reverend Anthony J. Bruno, who serves as director or religious services at the Connecticut Department of Correction.
Concurrent kindred session workshops included: “Breaking ‘In’ not ‘Out’ – Partnerships and Collaborations in Beginning Correctional and Justice Service Ministry” led by Dianna Bussey, social worker at The Salvation Army’s Canada and Bermuda Territory and “Transition Coaching” led by Dr. Karen Swanson of the Institute for Prison Ministries.
“I think a lot of corps officers have a lot to do,” said Lt. Col. Walter Fuge, national treasurer and secretary for business administration. “And they feel like [correctional ministry] is just one more thing. I think it’s good to show them why it’s important.”
Envoy Jim Mertz, corps officer in Pueblo, Colo., runs a Celebrate Recovery group at the Pueblo County Jail. He described the incarcerated as “the neediest of the needy.”
“It’s our mission to serve the incarcerated,” Mertz said. “It’s as much a part of the fabric of The Salvation Army as anything.”
The ACA’s next Congress of Correction and congruent Salvation Army Correctional Ministries Kindred Summit will be held in Indianapolis, Ind., from Aug. 14-19, 2015.
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