East Palo Alto Starts New Parollee Reentry Program

When they are released into East Palo Alto, prison parolees will be offered an array of services designed to help them adjust to society and, it is hoped, avoid the kind of trouble that got them behind bars in the first place.

Thanks to a $3.3 million California Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections grant, the city will run a pilot parolee program over the next 3 1/2 years that is expected to aid about 120 parolees annually. The city, which already has about 200 parolees, signed a contract for the grant this week.

"I would say it has officially started," police Chief Ron Davis said.

If successful, the pilot program eventually could become the model for a statewide version, Assemblyman Ira Ruskin, who sponsored a bill authorizing the experiment, said.

Split into three phases, the program exacts various commitments from parolees, including 2,000 hours of community service work such as cleaning up graffiti or giving public speeches. Parolees also must take regular drug tests and visit program staff daily. In return, they can get help with obtaining housing, getting jobs, enrolling in school, or receiving substance abuse counseling and treatment.

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YWAMers Praised for Faith and Leadership

The Denver Post reports on the memorial service at the Denver YWAM base: "We're going to celebrate a life, we're not accentuating a death," said Faith Bible Chapel pastor George Morrison, in opening a memorial service today for two people killed at a missionary training school in Arvada . The service is called "A Celebration of Life for Tiffany and Philip." Philip Crouse and Tiffany Johnson died Sunday when a gunman opened fire at the school's dormitory. Youth With a Mission director Peter Warren said today both Crouse and Johnson embodied the spirit of the group. First the service focused on Crouse . "Phil gave his life to Jesus Christ and was never the same again," said Zach, a friend of Johnson's who met him years ago at a youth ministry in Alaska. At the time, Crouse was tough and wouldn't let people get close to him. "Over the years, Phil became a humble, teachable, sweet guy" who was able to reach kids with rough e...

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Samuel Liotti TV Interview about Obama's Nomination

Check this out this link! Samuel, his best friend Malik and other students at East Palo Alto Academy were interviewed on TV where they were asked about their views on Obama. The students has some interesting and revealing comments. With all the politics, it may be easy for some to overlook the significance and importance of the first truly viable African-American candidate for president. Obama's nomination to especially many young people in our community speaks volumes about who they are and what they can become. This is an exciting and important time in our history. Please join me in praying for both our candidates, but especially Obama. I've felt impressed that I should pray specifically for his safety during the next months. Follow the link and check out the interview! What about you? How significant do you feel is Obama's nomination?

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