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In This Issue
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Written by
Melissa Helber
Note from the Executive Director
Art Beyond Bars Fundraiser
2008 Community Spotlight Awards
Travis Unit Inmate Artists
Recent Client Successes
CPI is Hiring
CPI Miracles
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Partner With Us
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Agency Wish List
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Contact Us
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Crime Prevention Institute
8101 FM 969
Austin, Texas 78724
512/502-9704
info@cpiaustin.org
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A Note from the Executive Director Dear Friends of CPI, As we near the end of one of our most successful years yet, I want to share with you all the latest news at CPI. During the opening of our post-release support groups, we often ask our clients to share one success and one challenge. Their successes often include getting a job, staying sober, or staying free longer than they ever have in their adult lives. In that spirit, I am proud to say that in addition to our numerous client successes, our organizational successes include the following: (...read more)
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Art Beyond Bars Fundraiser
CPI will host its second annual Art Beyond Bars art auction and benefit concert on November 18th, 2008 from 6:30-9:30pm at the Salvage Vanguard Theater in East Austin.
The event will feature live and silent art auctions, works by local artists (including many featured in the 2008 E.A.S.T. Austin Studio Tour), inmate artwork, and live music from renowned musicians Sara Hickman and the Ephraim Owens Trio. Please join us for an evening of great art, great food, and a great cause.
All proceeds will benefit the Crime Prevention Institute, a registered 501 c3 nonprofit organization. Tickets are $25. Visit our website to purchase tickets and to view the updated artist and sponsor list.
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2008 Community Spotlight Awards
The Crime Prevention Institute's Community Spotlight Awards are given to individuals and agencies that have made significant contributions in the area of offender reintegration but who often are behind the scenes and not in the 'spotlight.' CPI presents Spotlight Awards in 3 categories, Elected Official, Agency and Individual. This year's winners are:
Elected Official: Judge Samuel Biscoe, in honor of his leadership and courage in spearheading the Travis County’s ‘Ban the Box’ initiative, allowing greater access to jobs for those returning to the community from incarceration.
Agency: Girl Scouts of Central Texas, in honor of our long standing partnership and the ten year anniversary of the Enterprising Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program, a program serving a local Girl Scout troop and their incarcerated mothers.
Individual: Larry Butler, CPI Board Member and Former Client, in honor of his three years of sobriety and freedom, in celebration of his achievements in the Targeted Project Re-Enterprise Program, and in gratitude for his service back to CPI.
Individual: Rita Allen, Former Client, in honor of her four years of freedom, and in celebration of her achievements in the Enterprising Girl Scouts Beyond Bars Program, and in gratitude for her service back to CPI.
Please join us at CPI's annual Art Beyond Bars art auction and benefit concert to help us honor these valued partners!
We'd like to invite you to make a donation in honor of one of our spotlight award winners. Donate now and note the award winner's name in the notes section of your payment.
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Travis Unit Inmate Artists 
This year's Art Beyond Bars event will feature not only works by community artists, but also several talented inmates currently incarcerated at the Travis State Jail. These artists volunteered their time and skills to the event, asking for nothing more than some quiet time to create their pieces. The artists, who each demonstrated immense talent and artistic skill, were happy with the opportunity to give back to the community.
Art is a great respite from day-to-day life behind bars. The inmate art days were an excellent opportunity for the artists to get away from their cells and reflect on the things that are important to them. As artist Eric Jeter noted, "I find myself in a situation where my freedom has been taken from me. Art is the antithesis of that."
We are grateful to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Travis Unit for their support with the inmate art days. Without this partnership, our artists would not have had the opportunity to participate in this event. The pieces completed during the art days at the Travis State Jail will be featured at our annual Art Beyond Bars art auction and benefit concert.
Description of the photo in this section:
Sacred Heart by Martin Astran
"A portrait of The Virgin Mary within a sacred heart amongst a winged cross, with a beason for those that are lost and need help to be found. The mother of Jesus and the heart of us all. The rosary is a protector." ~Martin Astran
Mr. Astran's artwork will be part of the Art Beyond Bars silent auction.
"I'm a 38 year old Hispanic male. I'm very open-minded, optimistic and free-spirited. My connection with art runs in the family. I started to draw after I received my first Conan Comic magazine. After that, it just seemed I had a natural ability for drawing because I began to draw pictures from the magazine, very detailed, so I thought. Since then, I've continued to draw, mostly for my wife and grandkids. I love all sorts of artwork, you can do almost anything with art." ~Martin Astran
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Recent Client Successes*
George has a long history of incarceration and addiction, and after a two year sentence for burglary has returned to his former professional field. He is also helping organize sobriety events in his community and is enjoying time with his new grandchild.
Jose, three months post-release, is currently employed full-time and has been promoted to house manager at his sober living home. After a long estrangement from his children, he now has contact with them everyday and is rebuilding that relationship.
After a long history of underemployment, addiction and incarceration, Roger was recently promoted to assistant store manager at a job he obtained through our employment services. He attends NA meetings and CPI post-release groups regularly. He is excited for this opportunity and feels he has finally been offered a chance to show his leadership skills.
*names have been changed to protect our client's confidentiality.
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CPI is Hiring
CPI is looking for a part-time Case Manager to work with the Enterprising Girl Scouts Beyond Bars Program. Candidates must have previous group facilitation and case management experience and an unconditional positive regard for former inmates and comfort working one-on-one with that population. The position is approximately 10 hours per week. Click here to view a full description of the position.
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CPI Miracles
Around the office we are always amazed with the little miracles that keep CPI going every day. We’d like to say a special thank you to some of the people that make those miracles happen:
- Gil Jester for excellent development consultant services
- Jen Spencer for executive coaching services
- Layla Fry & Joe Maloney for keeping our website looking so wonderful
- Seth Paskin for making a new employment connection for our clients and planning a staff recognition party
- Chris Honeycutt for volunteering to develop job leads for our clients
- Angus Warren for leading the board through a high level strategy session
- Dr. Darlene Grant for founding the CPI Advisory Council
- Young Executive Director’s group for listening and support
- Sarah Binion for chairing the Event Committee & the Board of Directors
- A NewEntry staff for providing transportation and housing to our clients
- Cricket Communications & Brian Tyler for the donation of a cell phone
- Larry Butler for coming to group to tell his story and give hope
- Brooke Wilbraham for setting up the staff training and being a friend of CPI
- Warden Howell & Warden Peralta for outstanding patience & willingness to help
- Graves Dougherty Hearon and Moody (GDHM) for sponsoring the entire 2008 Chill & Grill client centered event and raffle
- Penny Rayfield for her consistent support and sponsorship
Description of the photo in this section:
3 Hearts by R.C. Diaz
"Colored pencil graphic. I used some good ol' prison ingenuity to layer and retain the glossy effect!"~R.C. Diaz
Mr. Diaz's artwork will be part of the Art Beyond Bars silent auction.
"Whenever I have the opportunity to sketch or draw, I am blessed with a sense of tranquility. My mind and spirit no longer remain confined and my vivid imagination takes me wherever my heart may choose at that moment."~R.C. Diaz
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