Sister Patty Cook Prison Ministry Award
Lucine Schiller - 2017
In 2017, Lucine Schiller was the recipient of this award. Fostering older adolescent boys who found themselves on the wrong side of the law was Lucine’s introduction to the justice system while she, her husband Guy, and their six children were living in Pennsylvania. Once they moved to New York, she and her faith community provided bail for a teen aged girl whom Lucine had met on a TEC, Teens Encounter Christ weekend. The young lady lived with the Schillers until her case was adjudicated.
Her first experience at York CI was serving on a Kairos team. She became part of the Chrysalis community on the East Side of York (minimum security) at the invitation of Rev. Laurie Etter when it began in 2003. Her most poignant moment was eulogizing one of her former Chrysalis Prayer Partners. She volunteered in the Willow program on the West Side of York (maximum security) and facilitated it for its last semester.
Lucine has spoken at numerous churches, fund raising for A Sacred Place. She enjoyed organizing card making projects for the women of Chrysalis and Willow, and frequently assists Janet Lamb in providing craft projects for Mom and Me. Lucine is an active member of St. Matthias Church in East Lyme.
Ann Koletsky - 2015
Ann Koletsky, one of the founders of A Sacred Place, and former counselor at York CI and longtime ASP volunteer, was honored in September 2015 with the Ministry Award.
Ann has been involved with helping inmates rehabilitate for over 40 years.
Her spunkiness, energy, and enthusiasm for working with the women never waivers, and she has been key to providing contextual background, networking and support for all program work accomplished by A Sacred Place.
Sr. Elaine Deasy, RSM - 2015
Sr. Elaine Deasy, RSM was honored in July 2015 for her years of dedication to long-term inmates through group spiritual direction and Grief and Loss counseling.
Sr. Elaine meets with two tiers of women every other week in maximum security.
She brings her open heart, twinkling eyes, and loving spirit to listen to these isolated women in supporting their personal growth.
Sr. Elaine’s kindness and perseverance is an inspiration to all, as she continues this work despite her own physical challenges.
Reverend Charlotte White - 2014
In September 2014, the Reverend Charlotte White was recognized for her many years in Chaplaincy services at York CI and as one of the founding members of A Sacred Place.
She was instrumental in the formation of the organization, grants and funding procurement, facilitation of many programs, and ensured the continuity for programming during and after the departure of Rev. Etter.
We are so thankful for Rev. White’s generous encouragement and support, especially through challenging and uncertain times.
Reverend Valerie Dixon - 2013
In Sept 2013, the Reverend Valerie Dixon was honored with the Prison Ministry Award. Rev. Dixon has worked with A Sacred Place and facilitated many programs at York Correctional Institution for over ten years.
After receiving this honor, a humble Rev. Dixon reflected, “I feel Gratitude – Gratitude for the Work, for the women of York, and most of all, for the realization that has come through all of these years at York that GOD IS! — That God is real, existing beyond all my beliefs, that this Power of Infinite Love, Intelligence, and Mercy is at work in every life and every situation, and that we have been privileged to see this Power at work healing and transforming the lives of hundreds of York women and our own lives, as well. How could we be more blessed”!
Reverend Laurie Etter - 2012
A Sacred Place honored the Reverend Laurie Etter, with the Sister Patty Cook Prison Ministry Award in September 2012.
The award was joyfully presented to a humble and surprised Rev. Etter, who founded A Sacred Place in 2002/2003 and retired in 2012.
As Sister Patty Cook so eloquently stated, “As many of you know, Laurie has been the heart, mind, energy behind the very formation of and continuing existence of A Sacred Place. From the very bottom of my heart, I say to Laurie, in the name of the Board, staff, volunteers, teachers, presenters, and dare I also add, in the name of countless incarcerated women: We love you. We thank you mightily. We bless you heartily. We send you on the way to your future path in the palm of God’s hand, with our abiding gratitude and promise of prayer”.
A Sacred Place, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to providing rehabilitative programs and educational opportunities for incarcerated women in Connecticut.
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Contact
A Sacred Place, Inc.
P.O. Box 48
Niantic, CT 06357
Information regarding the Barbara Mahon College Fund:
barbaramahonfund@gmail.com