Our History
Reverend Laurie Etter
In the spring of 2002, the Reverend Laurie Etter, a Connecticut prison chaplain for more than 30 years, invited a group of women with extensive experience (over 200 years among them) working in the criminal justice system to meet and exchange ideas for enhancing the lives of incarcerated women in Connecticut.
During this gathering of women of different faiths and careers, ideas for programs to promote spiritual growth, emotional and physical wellness were proposed and A Sacred Place was created to consolidate and implement them. It was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in April of 2003.
Since 2003, A Sacred Place has served over 1000 incarcerated women at York Correctional Institution through dedicated volunteer support and contributions from many individuals, churches, and organizations.
We are appreciative of all the support of founding members, affiliates, and prior and current board of director members. Programs past and present have supported women’s growth and development on mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual levels.
2003
A Sacred Place Begins
- A Sacred Place incorporated and non-profit 501(c)(3) status granted.
- May 2003 – First Chrysalis Graduation
- Houses of Healing Program
- Prayer Partner mentors incorporated into Chrysalis; Yoga, Labyrinth
- October: Barbara Mahon Fund established
2004
2005
Chrysalis Community Graduate Program Established
- Chrysalis expands – 12% recidivism documented
- Grief and Loss, World Religions, Sister Circles, Poetry
- First benefit concert of the Bluegrass Gospel Project at the Old Lyme Congregational Church
- April 2006: Angel Memorial Dedication:
Brief sparks of life, on earth for too short a time, now cradled in the arms of God forever - Dec 2006 Christmas Toy Project Enters 25th year
- Sister Patty Cook Prison Ministry Award was created
- 4th year of Chrysalis Community, the interfaith living unit on the grounds of YCI
2006
2008 - 2009
- 2008: Wally Lamb, author, contributes royalties from I’ll Fly Away to Barbara Mahon Fund
- 2009:
– Willow Community established and will serve 48 long term women
– Storybook Project enters 10th year
More programs added:
Graduate Support Group, Spiritual Direction, Willow Prayer Book, My Caregiver & Me Visitation, Parenting Art Class
2010 - 2011
2012
- June 2012: Chrysalis program serves over 500 women before its closure
- Sept 2012: Daybreak program started, following the model of Chrysalis
- Barbara Mahon Fund begins offering correspondence courses
A Sacred Place Celebrates 10 Years!
2013
2014 - Now
- 2014 – Houses of Healing expands into Davis Building – home of Marilyn Baker Program
- 2015 – Barbara Lisien-Juliano appointed Executive Director
- 2016 – Community Foundation of Middlesex Country awards substantial grant to Houses of Healing Program. A second grant from Niantic Rotary to Houses of Healing Program covers the costs of books.
- 2017 – Storybook Project goes digital
- 2018 – Childbirth classes resume and Labor Coaching is reinstated at invitation from DOC
- 2019 – Sister Patty Cook steps down as Chair of ASP
- 2019 – Childbirth Education program volunteers trained as labor coaches
- 2020 – Present : Houses of Healing, the Barbara Mahon Fund, Sacred Sweats, and Sacred Sweeties are active and thriving until on campus volunteers are reinstated.
A Sacred Place is fortunate to have a good relationship with York staff. What a benefit to the incarcerated women!
Houses of Healing is thriving with the help of a handful of dedicated Social Workers. A Sacred Place purchased workbooks (that are meant for the pandemic population) and provided additional textbooks, journals and folders to groups that continue to evolve and thrive with this meaningful program.
The Barbara Mahon Fund supports college courses with associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. A lot of activity has occurred with over 15 women served so far during the pandemic lockdown.
New programs, Sacred Sweats and Sacred Sweeties, continue to draw support and grow so that women AND their families benefit from the mission and the works of A Sacred Place.
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.
Click on AMAZON SMILE and designate A SACRED PLACE as your charity and Amazon will make a donation.
Contact
A Sacred Place, Inc.
P.O. Box 48
Niantic, CT 06357
Information regarding the Barbara Mahon College Fund:
barbaramahonfund@gmail.com