b"COMMUNITY God Loves Everyonewatch online: bocnews.comBy Sheila Smith sontoo,addsFrances Samuel,assessment and transition specialist G od loves everyone. Even when you mess up. with the Denver Sheriffs Those individuals incarcerated in Denver jailsDepartment.and detention centers are also feeling that love whenChaplainCannon getting the right guidance and services to help themagrees.Itsabouthav-be better productive citizens when released back intoingaholisticapproach society. tothehumanbeing. TherearenumerousprogramsthattheDenverWhat we are striving for Sheriffs Department offers inmates and their fami- ishelpingmakeyoua lies. better person.Too many folks are sitting in jails with minor vio- Majority of individuals lations and could be working, at home and helpingwho are incarcerated is theirfamilies,accordingtoEliasDiggins,chiefofbecauseofdrugs.TheElias Diggins from left: John Walter , Matthew WIlliams, Hosea Cannon, Frances Samuel, Andrew Jones operations for the Denver Sheriffs Department. dynamicsofthefamily A lot of it, Diggins questions, are the right people instructure has declined, states the chaplain.custody? He shares a story about an inmate namedDiggins can testify that he was raised by a singleGod made a way for me and put people in my life that Willy C who spent six months in jail for a minor traf- mother along with four brothers. It was a hardshipguided me. Mercy is unwavering.fic infraction. His bond was $100 and he still didntand difficult on his mother who he credits for raisingThose teachers like Saeed Abdul Amad and Elaine have the money to make bail. five boys. But she did it with grace, mercy and love,Neal, who is now in her 90s and still a champion Fellowdeputiesandotheremployeeswiththehe says. for young people in the community, were mentors Denver Sheriffs Department feel the same way. TheyGangviolencewasprevalentwhileDigginswasto Diggins.sharetheimportanceoftheseprogramsandhowgoing to high school. He lost several friends killedNottomentionDigginssayshismotheralways the community can get involved to help inmates seeon the streets because of their involvement in gangs. told him God will make a way.there is light at the end of the tunnel. HeremembershowtheCryptgangwasveryHe quotes his favorite scripture that he lives his AndrewJones,programadministratorwiththeactive in the Montbello area of Denver and tore uplife by. Psalms 37:23 says; The steps of a good man downtown detention center, wants to see more agen- the movie theater in a shopping center that endedare ordered by the Lord; and he delighteth in his cies being proactive in adopting a pod. A pod con- upshuttingdown.Thespacewasremodeledandways.sists of tiers of cells set around a central control sta- occupied by Now Faith Church that made a strongDiggins continued to prove that a person can suc-tion or desk where an officer monitors all the cells. presence in that shopping center off Chambers inceeddespitetheircircumstances.Hewenttocol-They can come in and enrich the lives of those inMontbello. lege and has soared in his career with the Denver jail cells by interacting with them, educating them onWhileattendingMontbelloHighSchool,DigginsSheriffs Department.vocational services, mental health services, he says. steered away from the gangs and found himself moreHealsoisthepresidentoftheAmericanJail Jones also explains how housing is a big challengeactive with ROTC. Association(AJA).Theorganizationisanational for inmates when they are released. What is availableBack then, he explains, if you got into troublevoice for those who operate local jails and correction-for them like housing, food banks, clothing and otherthe teachers wouldnt call the parents. They calledal facilities around the country. Around 3,163 local support services once the inmate is released backROTCinstructors,retiredmilitarymemberswhojails in the United States housing 767,620 detainees, into the community. were tough on us. They gave a sense of direction,according to AJA statistics.Churches can help out in ways other than com- taughtusdiscipline,leadership,resolveandcom- My hope is what I can do is be that voice for the ingtothejailstoprovidereligiousservices,sayspassion. voiceless, for the men, for the women in custody who ChaplainHoseaCannonwiththeDenverSheriff'sIts something folks got to realize and understandhave bonds but dont have the money to bail out, Department. is a lot of kids who join gangs is because they wantsays Diggins.Peoplewhoaresuccessfulinsocietycancometo belong to something. That is what helped me byFor young men and women interested in the Safety to inspire these young men and women locked up.being in ROTC. Cadet Program with the Denver Sheriffs Department Just because you have been in jail, its not the endAs the old saying goes, it takes a village to raise acan go the website: Denvergov.org and look under of the world. child but it helps when other adult role models helpSafety to find the link to the Safety Cadet program.We strive to be very supportive and show we reallyalong the way as well. Foragencies,churchesandindividualswanting care about these inmates and how they are a per- By the grace of God I went on the path that I did.more information on services and programs with the Denver Sheriffs Department, call 720-337-0400.Let You Tell ItThe wise woman builds her house, City colleges job training pro- voting on in November.One measure Denver Public School Boardbut with her own hands the foolish onegrams would allow the state to retain excessWidefield tears hers down. Marijuana ordinances revenueitiscurrentlySchool District 3 and much more required to refund underI encourage you to be By Maya Wheeler, Community Advocate theTaxpayer'sBillofthewisewomanthat Given the power and influence of ourRights(TABOR).Thebuildsherhouseand local government.What do you thinkothermeasurewouldnottheonewhotearsProverbs 14:1 (NIV) canbedonetogetpeopletovoteinauthorize sports betting hers down.R ecently, I was part of initiative totheir local elections?We can no longerin Colorado and create aBallots will be mailed collect data to see what was on theaffordtorollthediceandletpeopletax of 10% on those who minds of folks in the Denver metro areawho do not represent our best inter- conduct sports betting. in mid-October only to regarding politics.What I learned wasest sit on city council or school boardsKeyracestowatchactive registered voters thatmostpeoplearethinkingaboutand represent our children, families orinclude but are not lim- who reside in counties 2020andthepresidentialelectionourselves.We must make it a priorityited to witharaceorques-and not the upcoming November 5thto know the candidates and issues that Adams 12 Five Startion on the ballot.To electionswhichwillfocusonschoolwill be on the November 5th ballot. School Board learnmoreaboutthe board, city council, recalls, state andMaya Wheeler candidates, recalls, and local ballot measures.This informa- Therefore,Ichallengeyoutoask Aurora Mayor ballot issues you will be tion is not surprising but dishearten- your friends and family to register and Aurora City Councilvoting on November 5, ing,becauselocalgovernment(i.e.checktheirvoterregistrationstatusMember At-Large (2 seats) 2019 visit vote411.org.city council and school board) affectstodaybyvisitinggovotecolorado.com. Aurora City Council MembersThe community corner is an oppor-almost every aspect of our daily lives.Encourage people you know on paroleWard IV, V, and VI tunity for community members to dis-From. toregistertovote,becausetheycan Aurora Public School Boardcuss what is on their mind.EveryoneLocal school quality now legally vote in Colorado under a Cherry Creek School Board isinvitedandencouragedtoshare new law that went into effect this pasttheirthoughts,viewsandcommentsPolicing and public safety (andJune.Priortothisapersonwitha Colorado Springs Board, Dist 11 on issues that impact our communi-holding police accountable) felony had to complete their sentences Commerce City Mayor ties and neighborhoods. Rent costs and affordable hous- beforetheywereallowedtovotein Commerce City Council Members ing Colorado. At-Large (2 Seats) Please submit your input by the 15thPublic transit I invite you to learn more about two Commerce City Council Membersofeachmonthtomayaw.boc@gmail.of the ballot measures that you will beWard II and Ward IV comor via twitter @MayaWheelerCOBODY OF CHRIST NEWS AUGUST 2019 5"