News Items:

Autumn 2005
(Vol. 18, No. 3)

A party 20 years
in the making

Award captures whirlwind
that is life after prison

COPE's "plus 20"
Expansion Campaign

COPE potluck Nov.13

COPE night
at Plowsharing Crafts

Retirement party
for Linda

With all 250 people at the banquet on their feet clapping and cheering, Bobby accepted his COPE graduate award and took the podium. As he surveyed the crowd, he slowly broke into a smile. He noted that the audience included a judge, a former state prison official, a newspaperman, several
clergy members, and other dignitaries. “And they all are waiting to hear what I have to say,” Bobby said with a laugh.

There was a time when few would have predicted the scenario that unfolded September 17 in the ballroom of St. Francis Xavier Church during the celebration of Project COPE’s 20th anniversary. In 1986 military veteran Bobby was doing time in a Missouri prison after years spent in and out of crime and drug abuse. Bobby wrote a letter to COPE Executive Director Linda Schroeder, who matched him with a team from the Society of Friends. The rest is COPE history, but like most COPE stories, Bobby’s has taken many twists and turns. He was still wandering in darkness until 1997, when he completed drug treatment successfully and got a good steady job, followed by marriage to fellow COPE graduate Loretta.

Solidly working his recovery program, Bobby began giving back to the community, as the facilitator for a Narcotics Anonymous meeting and as a very active member of the COPE board of directors, serving as vice president, president, and as housing committee member. Tears of appreciation and joy filled the eyes of many at the anniversary banquet who consider Bobby as, in the words used to introduce him, “our trusted adviser and friend.”

Bobby was one of six award recipients honored at the banquet. Longtime board member Mike Willock received the COPE volunteer award. Mike has served as secretary, treasurer, and vice president of the board of directors during his 19-year tenure. He has been on all of COPE’s standing committees—housing, partnership, fundraising, and membership—as well as the long-range planning task force. At the banquet he recalled when he was first “given the opportunity to say yes” to COPE. Had he not been asked, he would’ve missed out on all the people and experiences that have filled the years. So without hesitancy he directed the same question to the banquet audience, inviting one and all to say yes to COPE by giving their time, money, or other support.

Father Gerry Kleba has asked parishioners at all his assigned congregations through the years to say yes to COPE, and his loyal efforts garnered a COPE family award. He also gave COPE a building, which was later sold to a COPE graduate, with the money from its sale forming the basis of a transitional housing expansion fund. Even at the banquet, Father Gerry was inviting people to say yes, this time by giving money to COPE’s “plus 20” Expansion Campaign.

Also honored at the banquet were three people in the community described as “quiet heroes of the criminal justice field, working every day for more humane and forward-looking ways to sentence offenders, plan for their release, or help them during the crucial post-release period.” COPE honored Sister Jackie Toben for her founding and leadership of Let’s Start, a group of women battling addiction together. Let’s Start has nurtured many COPE clients since its founding in 1989. It offers a support group and social events and participates in community education and advocacy efforts. Sr. Jackie serves as Executive Director in addition to her duties with the St. Vincent DePaul parish. Let’s Start has grown from its three founding members to more than 200.

Judge Philip Heagney was honored for his use of enlightened sentencing, helping many avoid being sent to prison and having to face the many obstacles of life in prison and as an ex-offender reentering society. A staunch believer in second chances, Heagney says enlightened sentencing offers greater potential for success for the person being sentenced and thus for everyone in the community.

Gary Kempker was honored for his efforts to mend the flawed Missouri Department of Corrections during his tenure at its helm from 2001 to 2005. He focused on trying to make the system more humane and to improve the reentry programs offered within prison. He said he was proud of the successful ex-offenders he saw around the room.

Project COPE Executive Director Linda Schroeder was honored for her devotion to COPE throughout its 20 years. The driving force of COPE’s myriad efforts and activities, Linda will retire in February.

Following the presentations to awardees, St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Sylvester Brown Jr. spoke of his own experience as the child of a man sent to prison and of his honor in sitting next to COPE graduate Bobby through the evening and hearing Bobby’s inspiring story. Drawing on the words of Martin Luther King Jr., Brown urged COPE on in its efforts.

People placed their bids on silent auction items throughout the festivities. The auction raised about $6,000. A generous sponsorship, advertisements, and ticket proceeds raised about $6,000 more.

Rounding out the evening in true Project COPE style were three graduations and the anthem “‘Till All Are Free.” Among the teams celebrating graduations was Immanuel Lutheran, one of COPE’s five founding congregations. It is the one team to remain active throughout COPE’s 20 years, following the example of faithfulness of its former member and COPE co-founder Hershel Walker, whose spirit lives on in each COPE gathering.

Award captures whirlwind that is life after prison

Something with a rainbow,” we said. “Can your glass blower create a modest glass art piece incorporating a rainbow?” We were shopping for something unique to be given as awards to the honorees at COPE’s 20th Anniversary Celebration. We wanted something with a rainbow because there’s a rainbow in our logo, the rainbow of hope that appeared in the Biblical story of the Great Flood, the rainbow of assurance that life can begin anew after even the most catastrophic consequences of evil.

When we went to fetch the finished product, I was dismayed. I was expecting a brilliant rainbow arc, but look what we got. Pastel rainbow-colored threads swirled and locked in a permanent whirlwind? What is that supposed to mean? Where is COPE in that? Gradually, however, my appreciation grew as I considered again the chaos that defines the experience of returning to the community after prison.

Hope, yes. Opportunities for new life, certainly—but also a whirlwind of frustration amid harsh realities and unrealistic expectations. It takes a true friend to share the struggles, to see and affirm the often muted beauty of each new COPE client, chaotic or not.

Is that what the artist was thinking as he crafted each globe? Maybe so, maybe not. But that’s surely what I was thinking as we presented the awards to those we honored for their special efforts in keeping the rainbow hope of COPE alive.

--Linda Schroeder

COPE's "plus 20" Expansion Campaign continues

"Celebrating the Past, Securing the Future" was the theme for the anniversary banquet. A beautiful slide show celebrated COPE's history, and banquet master of ceremonies Jay talked about plans to secure COPE's future through the "plus 20" Expansion Campaign.

Honoree Father Gerry Kleba challenged the people at the banquet to donate to COPE, saying he would match anything given that. The result was $2,621, which, when added with a pledge of $5,000, brings the total to $17, 154.85. Sixty-five donors have made contributions ranging from $5 to $5,000. The campaign seeks to raise $50,000 to pay for costs associated with the leadership transition, for a new housing manager, and for more transitional housing. Thank you for your support.

COPE potluck Nov.13 at Atonement

Share stories, laughs and good food at the next Project COPE potluck, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday , Nov. 13 at Lutheran Church of the Atonement. 1285 N. New Florissant. The church is about a block south of Lindberg. Go north on either Lindberg or New Florissant from I-270 (that's New Florissant or Florissant, NOT West Florissant). Bring food to share if you can, but whether or not you do, please be sure to come and celebrate more graduations. Hope to see you there!

COPE night at Plowsharing Crafts
5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29 at both stores

Shop at Plowsharing Crafts Tuesday, Nov. 29, and 10 to 15% of
your money will go to Project COPE.

These unique stores at 6271 Delmar and 137 W. Jefferson (this Kirkwood store is just east of its former location with more room and more stock) feature hand-crafted fair trade items from around the world. You’ll find toys, jewelry, ornaments, home furnishings,coffees, clothing and all kinds of gifts.

If you can’t make it that evening, shop anytime during the day and just ask that your purchase be counted toward Project COPE’s total.

Retirement party for Linda March 12

We can’t thank retiring Executive Director Linda Schroeder enough for
her years of leadership and service, but we’ll do our best March 12 at the
German Cultural Society Center, 3652 S. Jefferson.

Come celebrate Linda as she retires. Stay tuned for details.