CRAM, Inc. (Christian Recovery Aftercare Ministry, Inc.)

·         PA Department of Corrections 

o        State Correctional Institutions at

Camp Hill & Muncy

o        Harrisburg Community

      Correction Center

·         PA Board of Probation and Parole

·         United Way of the Capital Region

·         Dauphin County Adult Probation

·         S.A.E. Housing Project

·         Capital Region Ex-offender Support

            Coalition

·         CareerLink

·         Computer Ministries

·         The Program for Female Offenders

·         Berea Ministries, Inc.

·         Dream Maker Transport, Inc.

·         Dauphin County Systems of Care

 

2005 – Verizon Foundation

2006 to 2009 – The Foundation For

2007 & 2008 – Wal-Mart Foundation

2006 to 2008 – SCI-Mahanoy Resident     

            Betterment Committee

2008-2009 – United Way of the Capital

            Region

 

Community support is a keystone to our success. CRAM’s facility is donated as an in-kind property from Lingo Memorial Church of God in Christ.

 

CRAM continues to seek monetary and in-kind donations for the daily operation of the free services we provide. Monetary donations may be mailed to: 509 Division Street, or P. O. Box 5464, Harrisburg, PA 17110. 

 

Upon my release from the State Correctional Institution at Muncy in 1992, I dedicated my life to God. In 1995, I started working in Prison Ministry programs under the leadership and guidance of Mother Thelma O. Wright. In 1999, Mother Wright inspired me to conduct weekly aftercare sessions for drug/alcohol spiritual support. 

 

While running support groups I realized there was a lack of quality pre-release and re-entry services available for this population, and I felt my calling to address these issues. I started to apply my business mind to what I understood based on having “been there, done that”, i.e. my personal experience with addiction and incarceration. In this manner I began to identify what is required to provide effective services for those nearing the end of their prison terms and for ex-offenders. 

 

I began researching and attending workshops, including those offered through the White House Faith-based and Community Initiatives. I began writing my vision on the services I desired to provide to the target population of ex-offenders and addicts. In 2002, I began to formulate an organization and, inspired by God, named it “Christian Recovery Aftercare Ministry” (CRAM). 

               

In November 2008, I was the Jefferson Award Winner for Dauphin County. In the midst of my passion for CRAM, I was blessed with the opportunity to further my education. I enrolled in Chesapeake Bible College & Seminary and received a Bachelor Degree in 2005, a Master Degree in 2006, and as of February 2008, I am enrolled in a Doctorate of Religious Education program, with a goal to write curriculum for state prisons.   I like to think of my life as the “energizer bunny”…I keep going, and going, and going…helping my peer population of ex-offenders. By providing these services, I am fulfilling God’s word: ”…Matthew 25:35-36 - “For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”