Letter: Fresh Start Jail Ministries grateful for support

Thank you to all who supported Fresh Start Jail Ministries and RISE Fundraiser.

The fundraiser held May 4 at Cedar Hills Community Church was to strengthen the lives of those who had huge challenges in their lives and ended up in jail or prison. As a faith community we are attempting to 'Rebuild Neighborhoods - One Family at a Time,” which was our theme for the event.

For this fundraiser Fresh Start and RISE have many musical groups to thank, namely White Ribbon Day, Elim Arrival, St. Andrew Lutheran Quartet, St. Pius X Catholic Choir and First Lutheran Band. This was an evening filled with socializing, singing, sharing and joy.

Other thanks to the FSJM committee organizational group and team, Cedar Hills Community Church, the two witness testimonies, Hy-Vee for contributing our refreshments and their constant service and support of the community, and for all those donating flowers, signs, prayers and blessings.

Fresh Start's mission is to offer spiritual support to people of all faiths within Linn County's correctional system and to lend support and guidance to their families and friends. The RISE program assists once a person leaves jail or prison and is in need of food, clothing, job seeking, housing etc.

Contributions can be sent to: Fresh Start Ministries, P.O. Box 1322, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. These funds enable us to develop our programs and support chaplains and a volunteer coordinator.

We hope to see you at Mount Mercy University on Oct. 8 for more beautiful music in support of Fresh Start Ministries and RISE.

Emily Devine

Cedar Rapids