News from inside!

We heard back from our inside team!  Last week, we received the residents' responses to the first packet of materials that we sent into Donovan on July 15th.  The excitement about hearing from us, that we read in their letters, reflected our excitement of reaching out to them.  One letter started with "Hello to my second family!"  All expressed great joy in being reconnected.

This season has been rough inside prison with confinement, no visits, no visitors, no programs, the fear of Covid....  And yet, in the letters we received, we heard resilience, determination and positivity.  Two residents shared a deeply uplifting story - about how they brought light to Custody and staff - that we had hoped to share with you here but we're still waiting on administrative approval for public release.  We'll send it when it's approved!

One resident quoted James Allen with "Circumstances do not make the man, they reveal him."  This quote and the residents' stories reflect one of the foundational principles of our Circles inside Donovan:  Every situation can be seen for its challenges and its opportunities.  Which lens are you using?

It's easy to see the doom and gloom; we're fed this day in and day out.  With a little time and practice, it does become just as easy to see the gifts and opportunities.  One story pops to mind.  A good friend thanks God for having caught Covid.  While no one in their right mind would wish Covid on themselves, it turns out that, thanks to Covid, he was able to be at his wife's bedside as she took her last breath.  His wife died of Covid.  And since this friend had also been admitted to the hospital with Covid, he was able to be by her side.  As some of you may unfortunately know, if he had not been sick AND admitted, his wife would have died alone.  For both of them, Covid was a gift.

How has Covid been a gift in your life?  We'd love to know and so would the Donovan residents with whom we'll share your stories.