Sister Helen at Sponsors

Katie D.

October 16, 2011 - 10:01 PM

Sister Helen Prejean has arrived! It's a wonderful thing to have her here in Eugene (And check out this great article from today's Register Guard. This is Sister Helen's second visit through the Savage Endowment for International Relations and Peace, and the third time I have helped run events with her. Sister Helen is one of the greatest inspirations in my life, both for her leadership presence and because of the depth of her commitment to social justice.

This next week will be completely dedicated to Sister Helen's visit, and to working with her as she visits various campus and community organizations, and addresses an anticipated total of 2,500 people (plus various appearances in radio and television interviews).

Sister Helen arrived in Eugene yesterday evening. Already she has preached at First United Methodist Church; met with a group of forty youth from four local churches; blessed the annual CROP walk to end hunger; spoke at Sponsors; and appeared at a reception for university and community folk involved with her visit.

The whole week will be like this: a prolonged whirlwind of activity.

Aside from feeling so lucky to spend so much time with Sister Helen herself, I am also blessed with the opportunity to attend all these events and meet so many wonderful people. A great example of this was our event today at Sponsors.

Sponsors, Inc. (http://www.sponsorsinc.org/ ) is a re-entry program here in Eugene, which provides resources and housing for men and women in Lane County upon their release from prisons and jails. They measure success in:
• a safer community
• the reunification of families and children
• the establishment of the released offender as a positive role model for his/her children
• citizens who pay taxes and are contributing, productive members of the community.

Sister Helen spoke so movingly today about the value of human life, and the importance of providing for the dignity of all. Sponsors works in our community to provide resources for men and women rejoining our community. They contend that the safety of all is related to the housing, education, and employment opportunities for individuals returning from prison: given the opportunity to succeed, these people will rise the challenge of living productive lives back in the community.

Sister Helen told us that "when we become aware and then we act, that's called integrity." She was honoring the people who work at Sponsors, who dedicate themselves to this work. She also said that the worst and most paralyzing thing is when we become aware and don't begin to work.

I am so grateful to be part of this Eugene community that includes places like Sponsors. I am so happy for this week with Sister Helen, and the chance to be here as a part of this amazing woman's work. I know exactly what she means about being aware and the need to get down to the work of transforming our reality.

I feel like this week, I will be living that challenge.