Monthly Newsletters
Here is where our monthly newsletters are posted every month! These are great for updates on what’s going on with STSG and our partnerships.
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Volumn 2 | Issue 7
July 2021 |
STRAIGHT TALK SUPPORT GROUP NEWSLETTERCheck out what we've been up to this month!
Gainfully EmployedThis month we are happy to report that four of our newest residents have secured gainful employment. This is a group of very hardworking men. They came to STSG, they all remained focused on building a strong foundation of health services and education programming for the first month. By the time they obtained their identifying documents, they were able to hit the ground running with their job searches. It's great to see the residents here reaching their goals, and we know that is motivating to other residents at the house as well.
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Upcoming Fundraiser: Cruisin' the PiedmontWe are very excited to share about this upcoming fundraiser. If you or someone you knows really enjoys biking, walking, or running, this could be a great challenge for them: Cruise the Piedmont with STSG. Cruisers and their supporters will have the fall season to complete this challenge of 307 miles, and we hope to raise $10,000 together to help residents pay for housing applications submission and security deposits. Do it as a team, or cruise alone, let's take on this challenge together! This challenge doesn't start until September 22nd, but if you're interested, feel free to register as a Cruiser and help us spread the word about STSG!
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Volumn 2 | Issue 6
June 2021 "STSG gives help in every angle of life."
-Previous STSG Resident |
STRAIGHT TALK SUPPORT GROUP NEWSLETTERHere's what's been going on at the house this summer month.
Successful TransitionWe are excited to announce another successful transition this month. This resident returned to his home town of Wilmington to live near his family members. You see him here with his siblings who picked him up. This resident was a real pleasure to work with. He took a GED Prep Class, and got his Forklift Certification through Durham Tech while with STSG. He was employed with Dames Chicken & Waffles for a couple months before transitioning back home. We are looking forward to seeing all that this resident accomplishes.
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Celebrating Summer!STSG had a cookout last week to celebrate summer. Staff grilled hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken and turkey, along with sides. Even though it rained, residents and staff had a good time enjoying the food and listening to music together.
We're here to Put an (Amazon)smile on your faceWant to give back to the community while shopping? STSG is registered with Amazonsmile as a charity that can have proceeds from orders donated to our cause. If you shop through Amazon, you can set up an Amazon Smile account and choose STSG as your chosen non-profit to donate a percentage of your purchase.
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Volumn 2 | Issue 5
May 2021 " [STSG] is a wonderful program, they really want to help people and it's working."- Previous STSG Resident
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STRAIGHT TALK SUPPORT GROUP NEWSLETTERHere's what we've been up to this month!
Successful TransitionThis month we had three successful transitions! Two of our residents decided to move in together and they headed to Greensboro. One of these residents was in charge of our Smarter Garden, he planted many veggies. Unfortunately, it seems that the squirrels really appreciated his hard work. The third resident to complete our program is now living in Wake Co. He is a jack of all trades and was always working to learn more skills. We wish all three of these men the best and hope that they come back and see us sometime.
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"There should be more programs like STSG. Other programs do not provide as much, this is the best reentry program I've been apart of." - Previous STSG Resident
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Always A NeedSTSG is working hard to be able to provide the residents with all the services and care that they deserve throughout their transition. We can always use help in achieving our mission. In-kind donations of toiletries, men's clothing, and cleaning supplies are always accepted. We always welcome monetary donations as well, every bit counts. We use donations to help support our staff and programming, as well as assisting the residents with fees for medications, assistance opening bank accounts, and housing application assistance. If you would like to donate, please visit our website, there are easy to use buttons all over for donations. Thank you!
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Volume 2 | Issue 4
April 2021 “As a society, our decision to heap shame and contempt upon those who struggle and fail in a system designed to keep them locked up and locked out says far more about ourselves than it does about them.” -Michelle Alexander
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STRAIGHT TALK SUPPORT GROUP NEWSLETTERHere's what we've been up to this month!
Successful TransitionThis month, another resident of ours transitioned to independent living. This resident is very hard working and is dedicated to giving back to this community. He is involved with SWIT (Success While in Transition) and Wounded Healers. While he was at STSG he got his Peer Support Certification and really hit the ground running with using that certification. We are very proud of this resident and, we're excited to see all that he achieves in the future.
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“Models of justice that centre punishment do not prevent abuse but only react to it, and they don't offer a pathway toward healing for either perpetrators or survivors. Nor do they acknowledge the dual reality that a great many perpetrators are themselves survivors.” -Kai Cheng Thom
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New Members to the STSG TeamWe are excited to announce our staff changes this month. Firstly, Mr. Okruw, previously our Weekend Monitor, is now our Supervisor Monitor. Mr. Okruw is a reliable staff member who showed his dedication by stepping up as supervisor! We also have two new members to the team, Ms. Bowling and Mr. Spencer. Ms. Bowling is our new daytime monitor. She is super helpful in the morning by helping STSG remain structured and organized throughout daytime programming. She has quickly made herself an asset on our team. Last but not least we have Mr. Spencer, our new Residential Counselor. Mr. Spencer is currently in school for his Master's in Forensic Psychology. He jumped right in to the work at STSG and is a very valuable team player. We are very proud of our staff members here at STSG and can't wait to see all that we do as a team!
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Volume 2 | Issue 3
March 2021 "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
-Eleanor Roosevelt |
STRAIGHT TALK SUPPORT GROUP NEWSLETTERHere's what we've been up to this month!
Two Successful TransitionsWe are really proud of all the strides that the residents at STSG are making. We had two residents transition from our programming. One of these residents was helping staff run the computer lab by showing new residents how to use a computer and helping with their emails. He is now a house manager at one of the transitional houses led by Rich Ministries here in Durham. The other resident who transitioned from our programming was heading home to Texas to be reunited with his family. His family has been supporting him throughout his time incarcerated and at STSG and he was really looking forward to being near them again. Congrats to these two gentlemen!
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“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.”
– Frida Kahlo |
You & Five-O PresentationYou & Five-O is coming to STSG next month to give a presentation to the residents to help them become confident with their rights when interacting with law enforcement. You & Five-O, LLC is a community-focused organization that aims to lessen the mistrust and misperceptions between officers and citizens by offering engaging, candid workshops that educate participants about how to safely exercise their rights when interacting with law enforcement. Our presentations are led by retired Deputy Police Chief B.J. Council, who was the first African-American female to achieve that rank within the Durham City Police Dept. As a Black female and retired police officer, she offers a unique view from both sides of the issue. She understands the police perspective while also being aware of the systemic issues and generational trauma that affect the black and brown communities. STSG is excited to be able to bring this presentation to the residents.
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Volume 2 | Issue 2
February 2021 |
Straight Talk Support Group Monthly Newsletter |
“In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.” |
Proud to Announce Two Successful TransitionsProud to Announce Two Successful Transitions
This month we had two residents who completed the programming at STSG. The first resident was only here a few months. He became employed at a local staffing agency and returned to his home town of Hillsborough. This resident was self-motivated and we're excited to keep in contact with him. The second resident to transition through STSG's programming was a young man who was able to return home to Missouri to be closer to his family. While at STSG, he got his Forklift Certification and completed the GED Orientation Prep Course at Durham Tech. In preparation for his move, he began applying for jobs in Missouri. We are so happy to see our residents reunite with their family members and support systems. We wish both of these residents the best! Here is a great picture of our residents getting ready for professional headshots 
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“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” |
New Staff at STSGSTSG has a new staff member to introduce: Mr. Rodney Lofton as our new Daytime Monitor. Mr. Lofton quickly made himself an asset at STSG. He is great with the residents, and ensures that all daytime programming moves smoothly each day. To learn more about Mr. Lofton, check out our Meet the Staff Page. STSG also has a volunteer nurse, Ms. Alexus Baldwin who comes into the office twice a month to help ensure that we are up-to-date with all medical procedures. Per her suggestion, we now do daily O2 Saturation readings for each resident to check in on their levels of respiratory distress. We are excited to see our staffing grow with such valuable persons.
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Volume 2 | Issue 1
January 2021 |
Straight Talk Support Group Monthly Newsletter |
"Challenges make you discover things about yourself the you never really knew. They're what make the instrument stretch- what make you go beyond the norm." |
STSG Presents: Transition JourneyJoin us to celebrate the 8th anniversary of STSG with this fundraiser! Tyrone Baker, author of A Convict's Perspective: Critiquing Penology and Inmate Rehabilitation, will read from his book, followed by a Panel of Experts discussing the Transition from prison back into the community. Through this event, STSG aims to raise awareness and educate on the experience of persons incarcerated during their transition and how they were prepared before being released, while also raising funds for STSG's Transitional House. If you are interested in supporting STSG's goal, please go to our Facebook Page to purchase a ticket to this anniversary event.
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"The moment someone tries to demean or degrade you in any way, you have to know how great you are. Nobody would bother to break you down if you were not a threat." |
Expanding our Computer LabWe are excited to announce that STSG has increased our computer lab programming. We introduced the computer lab to part of our programming a couple months ago. As the program grows to best fit the needs of the residents, we have increased the time from one hour a day to two hours a day. The number of laptops we have is limited to seven. There have been days when we have more than seven residents who could benefit from this programming. Now, residents have two opportunities to use the computer lab for an hour. Our Assistant to the Executive Director, Ms. Dicker, leads two sessions of computer lab each day. One from 9am-10am and the other from 10am-11am. This way each resident in the house can have the opportunity to learn how to use laptops, work on GED practice, build their resumes, work on their typing skills, and more.
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Volume 1 | Issue 9
December |
Straight Talk Support Group NewsletterHere's what we've been up to this holiday season.... |
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. Wishing you happiness.” |
Our Residents are Looking Sharp!A family member of STSG Staff came to cut the residents hair this month. It's amazing how a good haircut can make such a big difference on a person's self-esteem. With their hair cut, these residents were holding their heads a bit higher. We love to see our resident's confidence grow.
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“May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility.” |
STSG is on Amazon Smile!If you shop Amazon, why not shop Amazon Smile? With each purchase using an Amazon Smile account, Amazon donates .05% of the purchase to a charity of your choice. Now, STSG is eligible for those donations!
The Holidays at STSGThanks to our supporters, STSG is having a Christmas celebration this year. The residents will have a full home cooked meal for Christmas, like they did Christmas. A few of the residents helped put up a couple holiday decorations, giving the house a holiday feel. STSG is also giving each resident a stocking with a few small gifts. We are really happy to be able to give our residents a holiday celebration, as this is their first Christmas out of prison.
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Volume 1 | Issue 8
November |
Straight Talk Support Group NewsletterHere's what we've been working on this month! |
“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.” |
giving tuesday is almost here!This Giving Season, Straight Talk Support Group has a campaign to raise $10,000 to connect our residents with professional tutors to help them break down the barriers they experience from their gaps in education. We feel this is a worthwhile cause for our organization as learning with tutors will have a long-lasting affect on the resident's skills and abilities. Please spread the word about this cause, we still have work to do to achieve our goal before December 1st! Visit our Facebook Page to find the link to donate or reach out to stsg1101@gmail.com for more information on how to donate!
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“Don't let the sun go down without saying thank you to someone, and without admitting to yourself that absolutely no one gets this far alone” |
Thanksgiving at stsgWe are happy to announce that thanks to our supporters and staff members, the residents will be having a full thanksgiving meal this year! we are expecting stuffing, chicken, sweet potato pies, green bean casserole, and more! We will be posting pictures of the meal on our social media, so look out!
we hope each and everyone of you have a happy and safe thanksgiving! we are thankful for all of the support we receive. |
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Volume 1 | Issue 7
October |
Straight Talk Support Group Straight Talk Support Group NewsletterNewsletterHere’s what we were up to this month, and Happy Halloween!
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“I think my capacity to change has given me tremendous happiness, because who I am today I am completely content to be” |
Successful TransitionsWe had two successful transitions this month! The first resident who left this month was a character. He was resistant to the ways of the house at first, but he adjusted and worked really hard to get himself set for independent living. He got himself two jobs and managed his finances well, we wish him the best.
The second resident left at the end of this month. He had been since the beginning of the year, and he always dressed very well. We never saw him without a blazer and hat on! He has a goal of opening his own restaurant now that he has transitioned. STSG can’t wait to see what he accomplishes. |
“I think people should always try to take the bad things that happen to them in their lives, and turn them into something good.” |
STSG Giving Tuesday FundraiserWe have launched our Giving Tuesday (December 1, 2020) Fundraiser. Our goal for this fundraiser is to raise $10,000 to be able to connect our residents with professional tutoring. A lot of our residents have tutoring needs. A large barrier that some of our residents experience is their inability to read and write. This makes it very hard for them to live independently as they have to have someone else to read everything to them. Another barrier a lot of our residents experience is that a lot of jobs require a high school diploma/GED. We’d love to bring in tutors to help them study and prepare to take those tests! We hope that can can count on your support for this goal of ours! The link to the fundraiser can be found at the top of our Facebook Page.
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Thanksgiving PlanningThanksgiving is coming up! STSG would like to provide the residents with a nice Thanksgiving dinner, but we need some help. If you would like to donate any foods for the meal it would really make the day more special for the residents. If you would like to help add holiday spirit to the day, please contact us at stsg1101nd@gmail.com. Thank you!
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Volume 1 | Issue 6
September |
Straight Talk Support Group NewsletterThe Latest STSG News!
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“Forget the career, do the work. If you feel what you are doing is on line and you’re going someplace and you have a vision and you stay with it, eventually things will happen.” |
Successful TransitionAnother resident transitioned out of our program this month! This resident came into the house in May and worked extremely hard to get himself where he needed to be to get back to independent living. This resident was always so helpful to the house, he kept morale high, and even gave back by painting the interior of the house with a couple other residents. We are excited to see what this resident accomplishes, and hopes that he will return to share his story with future residents.
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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” |
Here our some pictures of our newly painted rooms thanks to our helpful residents.
STSG FundraiserOctober 9th from 4:00pm-9:00pm STSG is partnering on a fundraiser with Spanglish in Durham. 15% of meals ordered by those who are there in support of STSG, goes to STSG. We are very excited for this fundraiser and we hope to see you there! If you are interested please go to the event under our Facebook Page, there is an RSVP link that you need to follow. We need to get at least 20 people, let’s get there together!
Our Partner Shout-out: North Carolina Justice CenterThis month we would like to shout out our partnership with the North Carolina Justice Center. The NCJC awarded STSG with a grant to be able to create more thorough Welcome Home Kits. We give each new resident a Welcome Home Kit with toiletries, and thanks to the NCJC we have been able to add clothing to the kits. Most residents come to the house with only the clothes on their back, so this is a huge help and comfort. The grant also serves the purpose to be able to assist residents in paying off their driver’s license fees, and this month we have assisted one resident by paying half of their fees. Thanks to all the work that NCJC does, we are very appreciative of our partnership.
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Volume 1 | Issue 5
August |
Straight Talk Support Group NewsletterHere’s what we accomplished this month!
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“Sometimes you need to get knocked down before you can really figure out what your fight is and how you need to fight it.” |
Successful TransitionThis month we had a resident successfully transition to independent living. He has been with Straight Talk Support Group’s Transitional House since April. This resident worked really hard to get on his feet, and his hard work paid off. We wish the best for this resident and believe in his abilities to live out his goals.
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Mr. English, STSG’s Senior Monitor, has been working here for a whole year! We are so happy to have Mr. English on our STSG Team. He provides invaluable support to all the residents here. Thank you, Mr. English!
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One Hope WinesWe’d like to thank One Hope Wines for donating 10% of all of August Sales to Straight Talk Support Group. We appreciate the funds and hope our supporters brought in some more sales for One Hope’s delicious wine!
Double Partner Shout-out!This month we would like to thank Wrangler Jeans and Panera Bread. Wrangler Jeans donates many jeans to Straight Talk Support Group. This is so helpful for our residents as they usually come to our house with only the clothes on their back. STSG works to provide each resident with a Welcome Home Kit that includes clothing, and thanks to Wrangler Jeans, residents are able to have nice quality jeans!
Panera Bread is extremely helpful to us by donating breads and pastries to Straight Talk Support Group Transitional House each Monday night. These breads are set out for the residents for breakfasts and sandwiches for lunch. This weekly donation of food is very appreciated. |
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Volume 1 | Issue 4
July |
Straight Talk Support Group NewsletterHere’s what we’ve been up to this month!
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“America is the land of the second chance – and when the gates of prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.” |
Donations & MoreThis month we are very grateful to two organizations for their donations and help. Blick Art Materials donated a big box of art supplies for our residents to be able to use for art therapy. They gave STSG pencils, colored pencils, water colors, acrylic paint and more! We can’t wait to see what the residents create, and we are very thankful for Blick’s donations.
Technology for the Future provided us with ten laptops for a very low cost this month as well. We were able to get three for administrative needs, and most importantly, we now have seven laptops to open up our computer lab with! STSG is so happy to be able to give our residents better access to technology. Gaining employment is a goal of all residents here, as employment is key to move to live independently. Nowadays, especially with COVID, the employment search process is all online. Now with these laptops residents will be able to create their resumes, continue their job searches and do their interviews through video calls. When STSG has classes on technology, now the residents will be able to learn hands on with these new laptops. STSG is very thankful to both Blick Art Materials and Technology for the Future for believing in our vision and wanting to be a part of it! |
“If not us, then who? If not now, then when?” |
Our Partner Shout-Out: North Carolina Justice CenterThis month we were approved for a grant from the NCJC. STSG applied for a grant to be able to create more extensive Welcome Home Kits for new residents. When a new resident comes to STSG, we always provide the basic toiletries, towels, and sheets. Something we were missing in those kits was clothing. Often when these gentlemen come to stay at the transitional house, they arrive only with the clothes on their back. We would provide clothing in these cases, but we didn’t have the funds set aside for it. Now with this grant approved we are going to add to the Welcome Home Kits: undershirts, socks, underwear, jeans, and a pair of khakis. Clothing can be empowering and confidence building. Thanks for NCJC, we are able to provide our residents with new clothing to call their own!
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Volumn 1 | Issue 2
May |
Straight Talk Support Group NewsletterHere’s what we’ve been up to this month!
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Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. |
DonationsThis month we are so happy to announce that we’ve had two donations given to our organization. First, we got a couple gallons of sanitizer that Doc Porter’s Distillery in Charlotte has been producing and giving out to nonprofits and other groups in need. We greatly appreciate the work that they are doing to help keep our NC communities safe!
Secondly we now have five spin bikes along with all safety equipment for our residents to use for exercise, transportation and fun! The People’s Alliance Fund in Durham connected STSG with the Durham Bike Co-op to get this project going. The Durham Bike Co-op provided the bikes and all the accessories that came with. We are so thankful to these two organizations for making this project of ours possible! 
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I think this is what we all want to hear: that we are not alone in hitting the bottom, and that it is possible to come out of that place courageous, beautiful, and strong. |
STSG’s Updates on COVID-19We continue to search out and implement information on strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We began to check the temperatures of our residents three times a day. We continue to wear masks inside as well as outside. We are wiping surfaces down with bleach solutions everyday and we mop every other day. We have begun to reach out to other transitional housing to learn and compare what they are doing to protect their residents from COVID-19. We feel having a network of information at this time would be very helpful for all parties. STSG is also in the process of setting up one of the bedrooms as a quarantine room in case anyone does test positive for COVID-19. Speaking of testing, we are currently setting up appointments for our residents to get tested at the newly opened testing centers in Durham!
Our Partner: Shout-Out!In these newsletters we’d like to take the opportunity to discuss the work done by one of our community partners each month. This month, we’d like to shout out the Formerly Incarcerated Transition (FIT) Program, sponsored by UNC Family Medicine. FIT connects those who have been previously incarcerated with chronic disease, mental illness, and/or substance use disorders with healthcare services and other reentry resources. Once released from prison, there are very few systems in place to connect those with chronic illnesses to health services. The connections individuals with severe mental illnesses receive are sporadic at best, and people who have substance use disorders are rarely connected with community treatment. We appreciate the partnership we have with FIT so that our residents can be connected to the healthcare that they need.
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Volume 1 | Issue 1
April |
Straight Talk Support Group NewsletterWelcome to our first newsletter! Here’s what we’ve been up to this month!
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I’ve come to understand and to believe that each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. I believe that for every person on the planet. I think if somebody tells a lie, they’re not just a liar. I think if somebody takes something that doesn’t belong to them, they’re not just a thief. I think even if you kill someone, you’re not just a killer. And because of that, there’s this basic human dignity that must be respected by law.
-Bryan Stevenson We can’t just rail against crime. We must speak of the root problems – devastating family breakup, an insidious culture of violence that cheapens human life, skyrocketing prisoner recidivism rates that rob our communities of husbands and fathers – and recognize that there is a societal role in rehabilitation and restoration.
-Frank Wolf |
COVID-19These past couple months have been like no other time before. We’ve had to change a lot and adjust to keep our residents and staff safe. The health and safety of our residents is top priority. Currently, STSG is not accepting any new residents (except those referred to us by DPS) to prevent spread of coronavirus into the house. Residents have all been staying home from work and other activities, as we are all on a Stay-At-Home. As many of you might already be experiencing when staying home, some of our residents are experiencing anxiety and stress from the situation. NAMI did a mental health mediation with our residents. We had our Peer Support Specialists come in to talk with the residents about depression and coping strategies to use in this time before the Stay-At-Home Order. We had a house meeting led by Ms. Elmore describing the proper techniques everyone should be using to help prevent any possible spread. Now, our Peer Support Specialists are communicating with our residents electronically. Wellness Reentry is also providing classes to our residents through Zoom. We are trying to continue our services as best as possible. We are doing okay and hope you are too!
Message from our Executive DirectorTo all of our Wonderful Staff Members,
Thank you for your dedication during this time. You have all truly gone the extra mile to keep our residents and the rest of staff safe. We have some staff members working from home, and thank you for all that you are doing to keep Straight Talk afloat and functioning. I’d also like to thank our Peer Support Specialists for continuing to work so closely (figuratively of course) with out residents. They continue to stay connected with our residents, providing them with support during these stressful times. They continue to connect our residents with therapists and help the residents get the proper medications they need. All of our staff’s work is noticed and greatly appreciated! Thank you, Ms. Bessie Elmore, Executive Director of Straight Talk Support Group Special thanks to Ana Maria’s Catering for continue to deliver food to our residents during this time! We couldn’t do it without you! |