One Time

In August 2021, CIC Ministries hosted our first in-person volunteer chaplain training since the jails suspended in-person programming due to COVID-19. Chaplain Angel shared this story…

“ONE TIME in December, I went to Elmwood for some visits. I had to use the visitor phones since contact visiting was still not an option due to COVID. Men would tell me their hurts, some would tell me their joys, some would only be emotional. I listened, watched and tried to let them know that they can keep doing what they feel they need to while I am there. If it's more tears, cry, if it's more story, share. Because of limited access, some people were only seen, one time.

A few weeks ago, I received a request to visit an individual. He walked into the room and sat down. He was winded. As he began to talk, he began to weep and stutter. I let him know that there was no hurry, catch your breath. He said, “One time in December, you came and saw me.” He said that “You came in and stayed as I shared about my life, my hurts, my current situation and my dreams.” He continued “I cried and you stayed, I yelled and you stayed, I laughed and you stayed”. He said, “I would have left, but you stayed and I was able to keep sharing and started believing in myself.”. He wanted to say thank you. 

He also insisted, “Don't stop coming in. There are many people like me who need people like you to come and sit with us, to hear us, to lift us up, to empower us, to bring us back”.

We want to say thank you. Thank you for showing up in many ways throughout this weird year. Thank you for sharing your resources. Thank you for giving your time and finances, so we can keep getting inside.

We ask you, please don’t stop. Please keep giving, keep volunteering, keep sharing, keep promoting, keep praying, keep believing, keep expecting, keep doing. 

ONE TIME with an individual can change their life.