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400 Attend CAPA Conference in Minneapolis 
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By Joseph Williams, Christian Association for Prison Aftercare
Healing the Heart, Healing the Community, was the theme for CAPA’s sixth national prisoner reentry conference held in Minneapolis, Minnesota in October 2007. Over 400 men and women attended what turned out to be a truly God-inspired gathering of His best.
The purpose of the conference was to provide inspiration, instruction and opportunities for networking along with the identification of resources for those who serve men and women throughout their transition from prison to the community. This purpose was accomplished through general sessions at which time attendees were treated to inspirational keynote addresses, special music, testimonies and videos that featured successful reentry programs around the country. In addition, specialized workshops taught by committed and gifted reentry professionals were offered during the conference.
Prison Fellowship of Minnesota hosted the 2007 conference. Local sponsors sought by CAPA provide scholarships, local volunteers and other logistical assistance. They also help to identify resource people such as keynote speakers, workshop leaders, musicians and those with inspiring testimonies. Robert Mader, the Executive Director for Prison Fellowship of Minnesota proved to be a passionate and capable local host, making everyone in attendance feel comfortable and special.
Those who attended the 2007 conference were able to participate in four general sessions, featuring such speakers as Pastor V. Ricardo Thomas, Senior Pastor Faith Tabernacle Church in Highland Park Michigan and former felon, Mark Earley, President and CEO of Prison Fellowship and former Attorney General of Virginia, Carol Kent, a popular international public speaker and founder and director of Speak Up Speaker Services.
Twenty-six two-hour workshops were presented by experienced prisoner reentry professionals over the course of the conference. Workshop titles included Managing the Reentry Message, Employment Programs, From Cell to Celebration, Impacting At-Risk Youth, Understanding Criminal Thinking, Understanding the Risk & Needs, Helping the Children of Prisoner & Ex-Prisoners, Barriers & Myths to Partnerships between DOCs & FBOs, Cognitive Approach to Addiction & Relapse, Collaborative Case Management, Working With Sex Offenders, Strengthening Your Organizations, Transformational Discipleship, Breaking out of Sexual Prison, Engaging Legislators & DOCs, Motivating Clients to Behavioral Change, Reentry From the Inside Out, Strength Based Discipline for Youth, Working With Urban Churches, Making the Transition Panel Discussion, Asset Based Reentry, Employment Programs, Legal Barriers, Maintaining Balance & Avoiding Burnout, Transitional Housing, Women Ex-Prisoners and three brainstorming sessions on the subjects of Pre-Release Services, Post-Release Services and Working with Families During Reentry.
The concluding worship service on Sunday morning set the scene for next year's conference in Sacramento, California. The theme for the October 16-19, 2008 conference will be “America, We Have a Problem: Reentry Strategies for Successfully Guiding Men and Women Home.” Prison Fellowship of California North/Nevada/Hawaii Area and Second Wind Ministry will serve as local sponsors for the 2008 conference. Conference information will be available on the CAPA website and in brochure form in the early spring of 2008. Mark your calendars now, and pray for God’s forthcoming promises and blessings.
Copyright © 2008 Christian Association for Prison Aftercare. All Rights Reserved.
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