12/23/07:Know Your Madisonian: Sarah Quinn
Know Your Madisonian: Sarah Quinn
Wisconsin State Journal :: LOCAL :: D5
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Interviewed by Barry Adams
Name: Sarah Quinn.
Age: 25.
Family: Greg, partner; Sean, son; Ella, daughter.
Pet: Jack, our red-eared slider (aquatic turtle).
Occupation: Volunteer, organizer, activist, mom.
Education: Bachelor's in human development and family studies, UW-Madison.
Hometown: Hartland.
Volunteer work: Community Connections; Wisconsin Books to Prisoners; Peace Garden, Marlborough Park Community Gardens.
What is Community Connections?
Community Connections is an all-volunteer organization providing educational, parenting and literacy services to the 707 inmates at Oakhill Correctional Institution, a male minimum-security prison located near Oregon. Our mission is to bring the community to incarcerated persons to promote successful re-entry through support, education and resources that provide opportunities for personal growth and healthy family relationships.
How did you get involved with CC: I started as a service-learning student during my last semester of college and got hooked. I went from a required 15 hours in 15 weeks to 15 hours a week in some weeks.
What have you learned from the prisoners?
I have learned about the conditions in prisons and how they affect and challenge incarcerated persons. I have learned a great deal about other cultures and the individual family dynamics of the men who share their personal stories and experiences. I have learned that most of the men we meet have children and deeply care for and long to be with their families.
I have learned a great deal of history from the scholars that attend and share their knowledge with our weekly documentary Film Group. I have learned how resilient the human spirit can be, even in the worst circumstances and environments.
I have learned that most prisoners do not want to blame others or be pitied, but desire opportunities to be empowered. I have learned that treating people with respect and dignity can be a very simple and meaningful gift.
And I have learned that isolating people in a strange environment (prison) without providing needed services and preparation before they are released does not make our communities safer.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering in a prison?
I would encourage them to come and see if it fits with what their goals and skills are. Working with this population, as a volunteer, is incredibly rewarding and interesting. Anyone interested in volunteering with Community Connections is welcome to e-mail me at sarah@communityconnectionswi.org.
Wisconsin State Journal :: LOCAL :: D5
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Interviewed by Barry Adams
Name: Sarah Quinn.
Age: 25.
Family: Greg, partner; Sean, son; Ella, daughter.
Pet: Jack, our red-eared slider (aquatic turtle).
Occupation: Volunteer, organizer, activist, mom.
Education: Bachelor's in human development and family studies, UW-Madison.
Hometown: Hartland.
Volunteer work: Community Connections; Wisconsin Books to Prisoners; Peace Garden, Marlborough Park Community Gardens.
What is Community Connections?
Community Connections is an all-volunteer organization providing educational, parenting and literacy services to the 707 inmates at Oakhill Correctional Institution, a male minimum-security prison located near Oregon. Our mission is to bring the community to incarcerated persons to promote successful re-entry through support, education and resources that provide opportunities for personal growth and healthy family relationships.
How did you get involved with CC: I started as a service-learning student during my last semester of college and got hooked. I went from a required 15 hours in 15 weeks to 15 hours a week in some weeks.
What have you learned from the prisoners?
I have learned about the conditions in prisons and how they affect and challenge incarcerated persons. I have learned a great deal about other cultures and the individual family dynamics of the men who share their personal stories and experiences. I have learned that most of the men we meet have children and deeply care for and long to be with their families.
I have learned a great deal of history from the scholars that attend and share their knowledge with our weekly documentary Film Group. I have learned how resilient the human spirit can be, even in the worst circumstances and environments.
I have learned that most prisoners do not want to blame others or be pitied, but desire opportunities to be empowered. I have learned that treating people with respect and dignity can be a very simple and meaningful gift.
And I have learned that isolating people in a strange environment (prison) without providing needed services and preparation before they are released does not make our communities safer.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering in a prison?
I would encourage them to come and see if it fits with what their goals and skills are. Working with this population, as a volunteer, is incredibly rewarding and interesting. Anyone interested in volunteering with Community Connections is welcome to e-mail me at sarah@communityconnectionswi.org.
Submitted by wnpj on Wed, 01/16/2008 - 1:25pm.