Last week we got to know long-time Rotarian Paul Cory a little better as he told us about his work at the Great Falls Pre-Release Center.
The Center was established in 1984 as a way to ease inmates' transition from prison to community life. Paul has worked there for 27 years. It's a challenging line of work, but Paul is proud of the many success stories that come out of the pre-release center. Among them are 71 inmates who completed their HiSET (the new graduation equivalency diploma) in the past two years and the 10 individuals who completed the training to be CNAs.
In recent years, the model for the pre-release center has changed. Originally a setting where inmates were glad to come (since it was a lot better than prison), now the courts allow the Department of Correction to decide where to place convicts, and some are placed directly at the pre-release center. Never having been to prison, these inmates don't know how good they have it, and they are harder to work with as a result. In addition, inmates used to have to meet standards of conduct to be released from the center. Now, regardless of their conduct, the maximum placement there is for six months. Paul expressed concern about proposed new changes that would reduce the maximum stay to three months. It's not enough time to get a job, pay restitution, and really benefit from the experience.
Paul was rewarded for his great talk and challenging work by drawing his own 50-50 ticket from the pot and then drawing the winning card! Well-deserved, Paul! Thanks for all the good you do.
This Week at Rotary
Lacrosse is becoming more and more popular in Montana. This week we'll hear about the Great Falls program from Kirk Fried. Join us at noon at the country club!
Harvest Howl To-Do List
Harvest Howl is less than six weeks away! The planning committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. this Wednesday at the country club. Please join them if you'd like to help. In the meantime:
Please reserve a table if you haven't done so already. It's Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles! And the ever-popular Clintons! You don't want to miss this!
The silent auction committee is soliciting donated items. Contact Susan Wolff if you have an idea.
It's time to start bringing wine to Rotary for the wine baskets.
The dessert auction is also exceedingly popular. We'll be sending around a sign-up sheet for desserts at Rotary beginning next week.
This is our big service project of the year, so whatever you can do to help is greatly appreciated.
Coming Events
Lots of special events in the next 10 weeks:
District Training Assembly - Butte - La Quinta - August 5-6
Rotarians Night at the Voyagers - Centene Stadium - August 30
Harvest Howl! - September 9
2016 Peace Park Assembly - Glacier Park Lodge - September 16-18
Milestones
Our very own Channing Hartelius has been elected to the board of the State Bar of Montana. Congratulations, Channing!
