Mission Statement
(Printable) (MS WORD Format Downloadable)
“Loneliness is the root cause of all bad behavior.”
Now in context, it was used to define the reason children misbehave. But if we stop to think for a moment, we can easily see how this could apply to all of us. It hurts to feel no one cares. Even the best pretenders can try to say differently but some things are just true whether we believe them or not.
“Hurt people hurt people”
No one is born a bad person. Everyone sees the world from their own unique angle. Unfortunately some of these angles skew all traces of a healthy view, leaving with us; bent perceptions. Bouncing ideas and thoughts off others is how we can reflect upon our own thoughts, judge whether they are good for us and decide if we wish to keep or discard them. This is what makes us grow. Well if the only people to talk with are people with similar bent views, then it is highly likely that one will get further distorted. In this is where many are left feeling misunderstood or not accepted. This hurts and leaves us feeling anger, resentment, loneliness, fear, rejected and alone.
“Our job is to focus on cultivating the islands of competence rather than drifting upon the oceans of problems & doubt.”
We provide men and women that are incarcerated compassion and understanding with an avenue to attain the vital link they need to the outside world through correspondence. We are not disputing whether people should be in prison or not. We do not deal with legal issues. Nor do we maintain any position on the innocence or guilt of our members in their crimes. We are here to support inmates, not to judge them. They have been convicted once and are paying for their crimes. We needn't continue to deprive them of the world in which we expect to release them into without a fighting chance. One cannot relate to something they are not a part of. You cannot learn to live amongst a society that does not exist to you. This is why we believe outside contact is absolutely vital to inmates. For some of members this is their only hope for that link.
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
-Mother Theresa
Services
Free
Pen Pal listing – which can include text, pictures, art, poetry etc. If you
would like your picture, art or a copy of your ad returned please indicate this
as well as including a Self addressed stamped envelope (SASE). We cannot afford
to let everyone know when they are placed on the site so if you wish to be
notified and receive a copy of your information, please send a self addressed
stamped envelope and I will send it back to you when you’ve been placed so you
know.
E-mail option
on each ad. Anyone can e-mail any of the people on “Reaching Beyond the Walls”
by clicking on the e-mail link at the bottom of their personal ad. These will be
printed and forwarded to the inmates once a month free of charge. (If you’d like
more please indicated how often you’d like them and send the appropriate amount
of stamps/funds so that we can facilitate this for you.) This is not a guarantee
you will get e-mail or mail it is just an option available if someone happens
upon your ad.
WE DO NOT
GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE MAIL!!!
We are
dedicated to advertising to ensure that we can get you pen pals. We do ask that
you continue to always remember that we are non-profit; we run completely off
our own funds and donations from you; every effort is being looked into to help
see our Mission at Reaching Beyond the Walls succeed. WE are not paid to do
this, we are not obligated to do this and we are not a business. We choose to do
this because we care. You can help us by being honest and upfront with people
that write you. Do not abuse any pen pals by using them or playing dishonest
games. We know most of you would not do this, but be forewarned anyone caught
doing so will be removed immediately! If you have any ideas on where/how to
advertise, please feel free to let us know. We are always open for suggestions.
As well, if you’d like to take on some advertising tasks by placing an ad for
our site in other magazines let me know. (We just can’t take on anymore expenses
at this time).
We do
not give legal advice and at this time we are very limited on what legal
resources we have found, most is location specific and complicated to say the
least. We do not handle any legal issues. We will do the best we can to
accommodate any request for legal assistance. As we expand our services, legal
references will be ongoing.
We try
to acknowledge everyone’s birthday. (Please send us your birthday and release
dates ASAP).
We have a
bi-monthly newsletter available. If you wish to receive this please send a SASE
with two stamps, 2 stamps or the cost of 2 stamps, for each issue. This will
recommence in December 2004.
(WE ENCOURAGE AND ACCEPT CASH or STAMP DONATIONS)
Donations can be made to:
Reaching Beyond The Walls
PO Box 6905
Rutland, Vermont 05702-6905
802-773-4029
We have
expanded our Legal Assistance program. We have joined forces with Innocent In
Prison Project and serves as Coordinator for the New England States of the
Northeast. This is an advocacy group that will advocate for those whom are
wrongfully incarcerated. When requesting the questionnaire, please post legal
mail on the envelope. All avenues will be used to advocate for the wrongly
accused once proved through our investigation of each case. This will include
but not limited to information being posted on website about case, information
investigated with private investigators, solicitors, etc. We do not promise and
type of result but we will do our best. Services are not available in all
states though every effort will be made to assist in those states.
We are
working hard to prove people innocent without the course of DNA being used to
prove innocence. This is something new and I am the New England Coordinator.
There are many throughout the country. We will also be trying to implement
various programs for the inmate to stay out. Counseling, Assistance In Housing
(Present only available in Florida) (Financial Assistance upon being paroled or
released. ($50 to be used once verified for inmate’s personal use within 30 of
being released) Legal Assistance and Resources.
Once again, we will continue to increase services as funding and support becomes available. The above listed services are still in development and notification will be given once they are implemented.
We are a grass root organization and we are growing rapidly. We hope to begin to offer more services as time goes by. We will continually strive to grow and look forward to all of you growing with us. With growth come growing pains. Please be flexible with us as we continue making changes and tweaking the details out as we only wish to help in the most proficient way we can.
Suggestions/Comments/Ideas/Questions are always welcome.
Do not hesitate to call if you have questions or just want someone to talk to. We cannot accept collect calls though. (I am available most times.)
Michael
ALL SERVICES
ARE FREE AND WITHOUT CHARGE
(Printable) (MS WORD Format Downloadable)
