In the spirit of our longstanding commitment to restorative justice and human dignity, our UUCS congregation is proud to participate in the One Parish One Prisoner (OPOP) prison reentry program. OPOP pairs church communities with an incarcerated neighbor and offers a guided, two-year journey of relationship-building, learning, and reentry accompaniment. Eight individuals in our church answered the call to participate in this program: Kirstin Grant, Jennifer Calvert, Judy Armes, Cindy Fine, Barb Stuebing, Peggy Eklof, Susan Tyler-Babkirk, and Maurina Ladich. Rather than letting the system of mass incarceration separate individuals from society, our church team is building a two-year relationship with Ashley of letter-writing, phone and video visits, and practical re-entry support. We are excited to share some wonderful news and updates about Ashley and the incredible progress she has made.
Ashley is looking forward to her release at the end of July, when she will transition to Eleanor Chase House Reentry Center – Work Release. This is a significant milestone in her journey. At Eleanor Chase, she will have access to a variety of resources that will support her as she continues building a strong foundation for the future.
Over the past months, the One Parish One Prisoner team has had the privilege of getting to know Ashley through letters, emails, and video calls. What has stood out most is her joyful spirit, her curiosity, and her desire to keep growing.
Ashley loves music, and one of her favorite artists is Lauren Daigle. Ashley is a talented watercolor artist who finds joy in nature and camping. She loves reading and learning, and one of her goals is to walk Bloomsday again. With a smile, she describes herself as a “tropical bird” because she loves sunshine!
Ashley has also worked diligently on her recovery. She recently completed a 12-week drug treatment program and shared that she learned so much through the experience. We are also thrilled that she has registered to attend Atlas Bible College, where she looks forward to continuing her education and growing in her faith.
Family remains close to Ashley’s heart. She is the proud mother of three wonderful children: Ryan (18), Alexander (14), and Mercy (12). She loves sharing stories about them and is proud that all three enjoy poetry and have musical talent.
As Ashley enters this exciting new chapter we will continue to walk beside her on her journey.
Please continue to keep Ashley in your thoughts as she transitions to Eleanor Chase House, begins classes at Atlas Bible College, reconnects with her family, and embraces the new opportunities before her. We rejoice with her and look forward to seeing how life unfolds from here.