Renascenceresidents are hard atwork getting readyto show the fruits oftheir labors from ournew project, teach-ing the residents indifferent forms of artas a therapeutictool. Your chance tosee what they aredoing is on Thurs-day, April 19, from5:30 to 9 p.m. at theannual Renascencefundraiser.

This year’sfundraiser is a littledifferent fromprevious ones. Forthe past three yearsServisFirst Bank has graciously hosted an art showand sale with works by regional artists. While artremains part of the plan, the location and formathave changed, as we feel a need to focus more on

our mission and our residents.The party will be at the

renovated fire-station home oflocal artists Mark Montoya andDavid Braly, part of which is setup as an art gallery, and whichstill has the old pole firemenslid down when leaving thestation in a hurry. A tour of thehouse and garden is an addedattraction at the party.

In addition to art workdone by Renascence residents,we will have pieces by CharlieLucas, who works under theauspices of the Alabama StateCouncil of the Arts, and byprominent area artists fromStonehenge and Gallery One.

Renascence residents willbe present during the first partof the party (5:30 to 7) to talkto guests about their individualworks, most of which will be forsale. We will have refresh-ments during this time, but outof respect for our men, alcoholwill be served only after 7.

Regardless of innate tal-ent, art is a positive outlet for the creative energythat these men possess and instills in them afeeling of accomplishment and a sense of havingdone something positive on their road to recovery.

Halfway HomeTHE NEWSLETTER OF RENASCENCE, INCORPORATED WINTER 2012

The mission of Renascence is to help non­violent, male ex­offenders make a successful transition from prison into the community.

THE NAME RENASCENCEThe name Renascence means “rebirth,” and was inspired largely by the fresh start men will begin in this

residential program and partly by the poem “Renascence” by Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950). It comesdirectly from the same Latin word as the more familiar form Renaissance, which came into English from French.Renascence is pronounced “reh NAY sons,” with the stress on the second syllable.

“SAVE THE DATE”Moveover, LeonardodaVinci!Youhave competition.

2 Renascence, Inc. Halfway-Home Winter 2012

Halfway HomeHalfway Home is published byRenascence, Inc., 215 ClaytonStreet, Montgomery, AL 36104(334-832-1402).www.halfway-home.netEmail: renascence@bellsouth.net

All information andphotography in this issue iscopyrighted by and theproperty of Renascence,Incorporated.

2

BOARD OF DIRECTORSGail WallerPresidentMary Lil OwensVice PresidentNancy BradfordSecretary

Jan HeierTreasurerDIRECTORSAlyce Robertson AddisonJohn AnzaloneJoe CrowleyMac HallCyrus JohnstonWalter LewisGeoffrey McIntyreWilliam MitchellLaura MurdockDouglass PorterJohn Sawyer, Jr.Delores SmithBill Tilly

ADVISORY COUNCILBeth ChanceyWillard HensonAaron McCallFrances McGowinThorn McIntyreValerie SmedleyRenascence, Inc. is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization.

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORONE SMALL STEPIn re-entry, it is easy to measure progress only

by whether an individual is able to reach largemilestones, such as finding a new job, acquiring aGED, paying fines and restitution, and of course, notreturning to prison. However, progress and changestart with small actions, normal occurrences for most

of us, but often milestones for our residents. These changes can be subtleand easily missed without close attention. They can be something assimple as volunteering to set the table when guests come to visit,choosing not to react in an angry way even when anger is justified, orholding a simple conversation despite feeling uncomfortable.

Recently one of the men (Mr. R.) helped me with a two-day project inthe office. As we worked we had an opportunity to talk. The topic of theconversation was not unusual; in fact, the same conversation could havetaken place in any office, bookstore, or coffee shop across the country.What made it so special is that two months ago it probably would nothave occurred.

Mr. R. admits that when he first came to Renascence he was morecomfortable “hiding out in his room” than engaging in casual conver-sation, something that made him extremely uncomfortable. In the pastwhen guests visited, it was not unusual to see him greet them quietly andthen quickly exit the room.

Yet, in the last three months I have noticed a change. While Mr. R.may not be the first person to speak, he is now willing to meet newpeople and “tell his story.” He freely admits that he still gets uncom-fortable engaging in conversation and says it is “something I have to getbetter at.” However, he is off to a good start.

Every day I have an opportunity to see the Renascence men workhard to “get better at” a new activity. I am proud to have a chance to

witness and help in theprocess, even though itis not always easy andoften does not followthe blueprint. However,although staff andvolunteers try to helpthem make a freshstart, at the end of theday, it is the residentsthemselves who do thereally hard work, onesmall change at a time.

-Dana Dunklin

As part of their orientation, new Renascence Board ofDirectors members, Mac Hall and Bill Tilly, share theevening meal with residents. (Because of court runningovertime, our other new member Alyce Addison wasunable to attend this part of the orientation.)

3 Renascence, Inc. Halfway-Home Winter 2012

The Renascence Re­entry CommunityInvites you to attend

A Benefit Art ShowThursday, April 19, 2012

5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Exhibition of recent work by Charlie Lucas

and prominent area artistsrepresented by Gallery One and

Stonehenge Gallery.Also featuring artwork by Renascence residents

A PAT ON THE BACK“Renascence is the only men’s halfway

house in twelve counties I approve for myclients.” Sgt. Randy Patrick made thisstatement at a recent Renascence Board ofDirectors meeting.

Sgt. Patrick is a Supervisor for the Dept.of Corrections' Supervised Release Program(SRP). Many of our residents are in the SRP.Sgt. Patrick keeps a watchful eye on his men,drug-testing them at least once a week,requiring them to call him every time theyset foot outside and back inside the house forwhatever purpose, and pops in to visit oftenand randomly—sometimes in the middle ofthe night.

SRP is for prison inmates who are withina year of the end of their sentences and havebehaved well during incarceration. Techni-cally, they are still in prison while in a placelike Renascence. Although there is a tighterrein on these men than on parolees, theyexperience some of the freedom that comeswith being outside prison, such as getting ajob.

“You can put a sign out front and call ita transitional house,” Sgt. Patrick said, “butwhat sets Renascence apart are things like24-hour/day monitoring, mandatory groupand recovery meetings, and the care andconcern of staff and board members—thingslike Administrative Aide Dereck Wise pickingup food from the Food Bank during his timeoff and board members bringing in prepared,home-cooked meals once or twice a week. Sowhen a man comes to Renascence, he knowshe’ll have not only shelter, but food andattention to his other needs, as well.”

We’ve always been proud that boardmembers and staff get to know and interactwith our residents. We believe it truly makesa difference in a man’s recovery to feel hematters in an individual way. Even those wholeave prematurely get a good foundation in acaring environment that may just make for asuccessful “next time” somewhere down theroad.

At the renovated fire­stationhome of

Montgomery artists,Mark Montoya and David Braly

1164 S. McDonough StreetMontgomery, AL 36104

Meet the Renascenceartists

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.Wine Reception

7:00 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Tickets are $40/person, $75 per couple,Payable to Renascence, Inc.

Your check is your reservation.

4 Renascence, Inc. Halfway-Home Winter 2012

Thank You, Donors and VolunteersThanks to all who have so generously givenDonations, Volunteer Hours, and In­kind Items to RENASCENCE.The following list reflects gifts and services for October 1, 2011 through February 15, 2012.INDIVIDUALSKathy AlbreeJim AlfordDeanie Clark AllenMartha AllenTony & Mary AmosAnonymousJohn AnzaloneWilliam Bradley ArmagostJake F. AronovDonna BakerGlen & Lynda BannisterCaroline BarmettlerTim & Kathy BarrowmanPatricia BarsomBetty BealeJere & Sara BeasleyJacqueline BeazleyGeorge & Carlotta BeckRyan BeesleySandy & Linda BenkwithJeff & Karen BentonPaul & Cindi BisbeeLucy (Tay) BondAdrian BooneDave & Lynda BordenNancy BostonBob & Nancy BradfordCarol BrewbakerRoger & Maryem BrewerArthur & Maureen BrittonGreg BrownK. T. BrownClifton BrowningJames BurkartPhil & Virginia ButlerTom Cagle/Gail WallerPaul & Nora CammackAnn CarltonAmy CarrElizabeth CarterAlleen CaterEd & Janette ChalkerBeth ChanceyTerry ChiltonEd ClarkSue Bell CobbElizabeth ColeSid & Anne Carol ColemanTom & Kitty ColemanMildred CombsFletcher & Judith ComerCatherine CopeHarris & Camille CornettJill CraneIma CrawfordWynne CrawfordGlenn & Elizabeth Crouse

Joe & Tricia CrowleyTim & Lara CrowleyGertrude, Laura, WilliamCrumElizabeth B. CrumpRebecca CumbiePortis CunninghamJean DanielCharles DeuelShirley DorroughBob & Marilyn DouglassMarvin & Joan DriverJoel & Beth DubinaBeau & Ebba DunnWilliam & Nancy ElberfeldElizabeth T. EmmetDennis & Judy EndicottSue EscoeJack EvansShirley FifieldLawrence & LibbyFitzpatrickRichard & Anne FortmannMarcella FosterJames FullerJames & Lydia GarrawayDennis & Mary GibsonElva GoldmanGeorge & CharlotteGoodwynSally GreenhawRaye GregoryPat T. GuestPatricia M. GuestCharles B. GulleyMac HallJeanette HancockEliotte & Elizabeth HaroldOzie HaroldMark HarrisMary HarrisFairlie HaynesEarl & Janice HeathCathy HegjiJan & Carol HeierBowen & Maria HillIlouise HillJohn & Virginia HillhouseTruman & Debbie HobbsTruman & Joyce HobbsDick HodgesTom & Margie HortonWilliam HughesRay JacobyGloria JohnsonCyrus & Faith JohnstonGary & Annamarie JonesShirley Jordan

Haynes & Melanie KelleyCarol KendrickBill & Donna KnoxEleanor KohnGary & Mary Anne KonoJames & Nina KynardJohn LightfootElizabeth LittleJoan LoebClifton & MagnoliaLovejoyHans LuquireSteve & Bonnie MaddoxKathie MangumStanley & Sandy MarksTim & Carmela MartellWilliam & Molly MartinHazel MathisFrank & Judith MayArthur & Elizabeth MazyckGeoff & Marty McIntyreRory & Sharon McKeanVeronica McKenzieReese & BeverlyMcKinneyCharles & CatherineMcLemoreRuth McLemoreThomas & VanzettaMcPhersonJulian & Leslie McPhillipsTom & Amy MethvinKay MillerGeorge & SarahMingledorffAnn MontgomeryMark MontoyaPaul & Lucy MooreChad & Cathi MorrissDan & Melanie MorrisAlfred J. NewmanDon & Ursula NolteTabor & Caroline NovakMary Lil OwensJohn & Gena ParkerAl & Virgie PerkinsRusty & Cary PhillipsCheairs PorterChilton PorterJohn M. PorterJohn & Gerrie PorterMac & Douglass PorterZola PowersCamilla PrinceJane PurringtonBruce & Emelie ReidKatie RichburgBob & Barry Robichaux

Betty RollinsFrank & Nan RosaBuddy & Marie SanfordJoel SandersPamela SaurJohn & Bettie ScottDale W. ScottAmy SeanorWill & Lee SellersLewis & Gloria SimonsDaphne SimpkinsJoe SimsJoyce SmithNelson & Delores SmithTom & Cindy SomervilleAnn SpeaksWaldo SpencerCharles & Winnie StakelyRod & Frances SteeleGordon StengerRobert SterlingBeverly Stoudemire-HowlettHenry StoughTodd & Linda StrangeBobby & Linda SwayneWill Hill TankersleyJake TaylorCharlie ThomasMills & Brenda ThorntonWallace & Anne TidmoreHelen TillBill TillyTommy & Martha TysonMark & Anne WaldoRobbie Jean WalkerJanet WallerLuther WallerDoug WaltonJean J. WebbAndy & Lisa WeilLaurie WeilMike & Louisa WeinribHelen Crump WellsTommy R. WestAndy & Marti WhiteheadValerie WilkersonDent & Diane WilliamsFlorence WilliamsBilly & Pat WilliamsonDorothy WilsonJay L. WolfMilton & Ann WoodVerna WoolKen WoolJohn Ziegler

5 Renascence, Inc. Halfway-Home Winter 2012

General• Bus passes (5 passes for $10)• Towels and wash cloths• Toiletries• BicyclesFor Art ProjectTools:• Jigsaw• Circular saw• Tin snips• Screwdrivers• Hammers• Nails and screws• Paint brushes

Supplies:• Gorilla glue• Wire (any kind)• Wood scraps• Paints (all colors)• Plastic buckets• Resealable plastic containers• Pieces of tin roofing• Canvas• Watercolor paper

WishList

IN MEMORY OFRoman J. BurkartJames BurkartMargaret P. ClarkEd ClarkCharles (Chuck) HegjiCathy HegjiEugene HeilpernTom & Kitty ColemanJames (Jim) KykerElva GoldmanEdith Hester LovelaceTom & Kitty ColemanBilly McLemoreRuth McLemoreStan MontgomeryAnn MontgomeryWill NelsonShirley JordanCarl StoudemireBeverly Stoudemire-HowlettBerney WalterTom & Kitty Coleman

IN HONOR OFNancy BradfordWilliam Marks HarrisScott BreyfogleJohn & Bettie ScottJoe CrowleyPaul & Nora CammackJoe & Tricia CrowleyTim & Carmella MartellDr. Richard CyrusMike & Louisa WeinribWilliam R. FrenchTom & Margie HortonNancy & Walt McGriffRod & Frances SteeleMary Lil OwensSue Bell CobbElizabeth LittleDouglass PorterTony & Mary AmosTay BondIma CrawfordHaynes & MelanieKelleyJane PurringtonJoyce Smith

Helen Crump WellsFlorence WilliamsMac & Douglass PorterBob & MarilynDouglassJohn & Gerrie PorterZola PowersDelores SmithJulian & LeslieMcPhillipsSmitty & Delores SmithZola PowersCHURCHES, FOUNDATIONS,ORGANIZATIONS,BUSINESSESAltrusa International ofMontgomeryCentral AlabamaCommunityFoundation – Till Fund& Anonymous 3 FundCentral AlabamaCommunityFoundation – T. Bowen& Maria P. HillCharitable Trust

Chicago Community Trust– Pat & Patty CrowleyFundCrum Family FoundationEpiscopal Church of theAscensionEpiscopal Churchwomen –Holy ComforterFirst United MethodistChurchThe Hobbs FoundationHoly Spirit CatholicChurchJADO – Adolph Weil, Jr.FamilyB.D. & J.E. McIntyreFoundationMontgomery CountyCommissionNational Assn. of SocialWorkersA New Beginnings MinistryThe Robert HenryFoundationSt. Bede Catholic ChurchTaoist Tai Chi Society,Alabama ChapterUnited Methodist Womenof First UnitedMethodist Church

Help us make a difference and build our communityYes, I want to help:To volunteer (see our web site – www.halfway-home.net)To donate, make a check payable to Renascence , Inc. or by donate via our website.

Your generous donation could provide the following:

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PAIDMONTGOMERY, AL

PERMIT #66

Halfway HomeRenascence, Inc.

215 Clayton St. · Montgomery, AL 36104

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

$10 – 5 city bus passes$25 – 1 state picture I.D.$50 – 1 health clinic visit$100 – drug screens/1 month$250 – Food Bank/3 months$500 – 6 GED assessment fees$1,000 – gas and upkeep on the van/1 year$1,500 – utilities for 1 month

$5,000 – liability insurance/6 monthsOther – help with salaries, workman’s comp.insurance, payroll taxes

Renascence, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofitorganization.

YouMake

theDifference!