Yokefellows
from pfillf A I
to engage inmates in
Christian fellowship.
Yokefellows derives its
name from Matthew 11:28
30, in which Jesus says "take
my yoke upon you and learn
of me" and promises to ease
the burdens of those who do.
The program's concept is that
Christian volunteers and
inmates "yoked together"
will help both endure life's
challenges and strengthen
their faith. The local
Yokefellows chapter is one of
the many programs that the
Forsyth Jail and Prison
Ministries offers to engage
inmates with the public.
The Bible studies are held
in the prison's McGee
Hedgley Chapel. Before the
discussion begins, attendees
fellowship and enjoy cake
and coffee. With about 80
inmates attending most ses
sions, it's standing room only
in the modest sized fellow
ship hall. A devotional song
is played to set the tone for
the evening. Some listen qui
etly, while others pray or
mouth the words to the song.
The crowd then splits into
smaller groups for Bible
study, with some staying in
the fellowship hall, while
others go upstairs to the sanc
tuary.
Chunn, who has volun
teered at the facility for 30
years, said she's seen the
Yokefellows program have a
real impatr on the lives of
inmates over the years.
"The ones I've really
bonded with have accepted
Shumate
Brunk
Harris
the Lord, and I have seen a
big change in them." said
Chunn.
Kervin Frazier is one of
those inmates. He's been a
part of Yokefellows pro
grams at other prisons, but
says the volunteers at the
Forsyth Correctional Center
go above beyond. Local
Yokefellows volunteers often
take inmates outside of the
facility for events and activi
ties by using so-called "spon
sor passes."
"It's sort of like a spiritu
al cleansing for me to fellow
ship with them," said Frazier.
"They're real interested in
whatever is going to make
you into a better person.
They talk to you, encourage
you."
Frazier is currently serv
ing time for drug trafficking
and expects to be released
next year. A former heroine
addict, Frazier says drug
arrests have kept him in and
out of prison for 30 years. He
says that Yokefellows has
helped to turn him around.
"I believed in God. but I
had some other influ
ences. ..but none of that
worked for me until 1 got to
sit with Mrs. Doris and some
of these people," said
Frazier.
Frazier says he's become
a different person through his
faith in God. He vows that
when he is released this time,
he won't return to prison.
"I can feel the difference:
1 feel the change every day."
he said. "When you get in the
habit of doing something
that's good, I can tell the
Lord's really doing work, My
family sees a change. My
wife sees a change. My chil
dren see a change."
James Brunk has been
inspired to change as well.
He has been serving time for
drug trafficking since he was
21 . Now, at 27, he's a chap
lain's assistant at the prison
and hopes to be a mentor to
kids when he's released. He
said spirituality is important
to many inmates.
"(The Yokefellows pro
gram) is the main reason a lot
of guy are still doing so well
... because they have some
thing to look forward to
throughout the week," said
Brunk.
The volunteers also look
forward to the fellowship
with the inmates. Kathryn
Harris said she feels like
she's made a real impact in
the 25 years she's been a part
of Yokefellows.
"i said 1 was going for
five years and I'm still here,"
said Harris. "I just thank God
tor it all."
Volunteer Ronnie
Shumate is an ex-offender
himself who's been out of
prison sinee 1991. He
remembered thWiope he felt
at Yokefellows meetings and
now hopes to offer the same
to current inmates.
"Lord told me, 'You need
to go back over there, you
can make a difference,' and I
said, 'Lord 1 don't want to
back go over there , 1 have got
a lot. of bad memories of
prison,"' said Shumate. "Lo
"and behold, a couple weeks
later. I came and I've been
here for 18 years."
The Yokefellows meeting
last Thursday ended back in
the fellowship hall, where
Rev. Robert Wolfe, one of the
prison's chaplains, collected
prayer requests from volun
teers and inmates. Wolfe
then led them in a prayer,
asking God to intervene with
each request. In what has
become a tradition, seven of
the volunteers formed a
prayer circle around an
inmate who was being
released the next day. It is a
way of asking God to bless
his journey on the outside
and praying that he'll keep
his faith close to his heart.
To volunteer with
Yokefellows, contact Wolfe at
336-759-0063,
O'Conner
from page A4
ment events and participate
in leadership development
projects. The program pre
pares young people to
become informed decision
makers and influential lead
ers who shape the world.
O'Conner is a member of
WSSU's Ralph Bunche
Society. Founded in 2007,
WSSU has served as a model
for future Ralph Bunche
r
Society chapters The Ralph
Bunche Society was devel
oped by the Phelps Stokes
l urid to create a broader base
of undergraduate student par
ticipation in global affairs -
regardless of a student 's field
of study - increase global
and cultural awareness,
develop language skills,
hone student leadership
skills, and increase minority
student involvement in inter
national arenas and the
expanding global communi
ty
1
Photo by Todd Luck
From left: The Food Bank's Daisy Rodriguez. Centenary's Rev. Abby Hedgecock, Schools
Assistant Superintendent Toni Bigham, Clyde Fitzgerald, Betsy Scott and Jeff Faullin cut
the ribbon to symbolically open Brunson's Backpack Program.
Backpacks
front pane */
in the entire country on the
Food Hardship Index, so,
yes, hunger exists here,"
said Fitzgerald, citing a
recent study by the Food
Research and Action Center
that looked at the number of
families that can't regularly
afford food.
Second Harvest has
Backpack Programs in more
than 30 schools in the 18
counties it serves. Hall
Woodward Elementary
SchooLalso offers the pro
gram. Six other Forsyth
County schools will soon
offer it. Fitzgerald said.
Betsy Scott is the volun
teer coordinator for the pro
gram. She said she inquired
about bringing the program
to Brunson - where her son.
Paul, is a student - after her
son's class sponsored a
i
Brunson family for
Christmas.
"(The family) needed
things like sleeping bags
because the kids sleep on the
floor and a pillow case and
socks." said Scott. "It was
things that were so basic;
they didn't even ask for toys.
It was heart breaking how
much they needed."
Parent volunteers pick up
the food for the backpacks
from Centenary each Friday
morning. The contents of the
backpacks, which students
return each week to be
refilled, vary, but always
contain two servings each of
evaporated milk, grains, pro
tein and four servings of
fruit. All of the items are in
kid-friendly packages.
The program costs
$2,000 a school year, a cost
that is covered by individual
donors and sponsors like
Lowes Foods. Holy Family
Catholic Church, Westbend
Vineyards. Fleet Feet Sports
and the Diamondback Grill.
Scott said teachers have
given positive feedback
about the program since it
started late last year. They
say that they can tell their
students are more nourished.
"(Teachers have) noticed
a difference on Monday
mornings already with the
kids that are getting the
food, how they're behav
ing," said Scott.
Brunson Principal Jeff
Faullin said all students
want to learn, but sometimes
factors at home, like hunger,
can distract students. He
believes it is up to schools
and the community as a
whole to do all they can to
support the children.
"That's what schools do
... to support all of our fami
lies to make sure our kids
have every opportunity to do
the best they can." he said.
.
%
Easy Access 22-Month CD
With A New or Existing Cheeking Account
Now Federally Insured up to $ 250,000 *
^Southern
Community
BANK AND TRUST
smallenoughtocare.com
(336) 768-8500 or 1-888-768-2666
?Annual Percentage Yield is accurate as of 1/10/ II and subject to change without notice. limited time offer. $300.00 minimum required to open
account. OffeT good for inmumen and businesses with a (.rucking Account. You may make one principal withdrawal during the mm of the t.D
without early withdrawal penalty after the first six day* of the account term. If mom than one prim ipal withdrawal is mack*., alter the first sin days,
an earlv withdrawal penalty mav apply.
? ?!)epo*it? at FDIC-in?umd institutions are insured up to at lea?t $250,001) per depositor. IV.poaitors who have qVieation* about their insurant e ? met age
may go to www.fdlc.gov and use the FDIC't Electronic Deposit Insurance Eatimator (EDIE) or call their toll-free number at I -077-ASK-FDIC.
Member FDIC.
North Carolina Press Services
Your one-stop shop for statewide
and nationwide newspaper advertising.
DISPLAY ADS
ONLINE ADS
CLASSIFIEDS
PRESS RELEASES
One order, one hilt, no worries.
5171 Glenwood Ave, Suite 364,
Raleigh, NC 27612 | 919.787.7443
www.ncpress.com | www.ncadsonline.com
FREE PAD SCREENING
Could you be one of the
millions with undiagnosed PAD?
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a serious
condition that affects both men and women
as they age. It drastically increases the risk
of heart attack and stroke.
Are you at risk? Join our physicians for
a free educational program and
PAD Screening that examines the
arteries in your neck, .abdomen and legs.
Symptoms:
? Cramping in hips/legs
? Fatigue while walking
? Pain in the hip or leg muscles that
goes awav when you stop or rest
Those at Risk:
? Anyone over 50
? History of coronary artery disease/diabetes
? High blood pressure/high cholesterol
? Tobacco users
Pictured left to right: Stephen Motew, MP. com uLn surftvn:
Robert M. Vamell , A 10-, interventional uititoltrgiit:
Donald Heck, Ml), neurit interventional nulwlogist
Forsyth]
CARDIAC & VASCULAR CENTER
Remarkable People. Remarkable Mediant'
Thurs. March 24
Education Program: 6-9 p.m.
Conference Center
Forsyth Medical Center
Lecture: 6-7 p.m.
Screenings to follow immediately
after lecture and ongoing
by appointment only.
Call 1-888-844-0080, option I to register for Dare to CARE.
www.ForsythMedicalCenter.org
REYNOLDA HOUSE
COMMUNITY DAY
Saturday, March 26, 12-4 p.m.
Free! [ All Ages | Rain or Shine
ALL ABOARD! Free admission ail day, art acti\ ities, and musical performances,
all inspired by trains! Tour the historic house and see the featured exhibition
Trains that Passed in the Sight: I he Photographs of O Winston I ink
habrAn interpretes en espanol a traves del museo.
Free ( onimunitv Day continues at SI < ( A, right across the street!
REYNOLDA HOUSE MUSEUM (>/ AMERICAN ART
2250 Reynolds Road, Winston -Salem | 336.758.5150 | reynoldahouse.org
Vi ipportrd b\' the Arts Cwma/W Winslon Sn|em c- fmylh Guith