Posts published in “Day: November 16, 2010”

By JULIETA PAITA
Northeast News

Aldine Optimist Club had a special guest at its last meeting on Nov. 10. Sonny Donaldson, retired superintendent of Aldine ISD and now an active member of Kairos Prison Ministry at Hightower Prison in Dayton, explained the functions of this program to help prisioners feel relief and improve themselves, while behind bars.

There are two prisons in Dayton, Texas. Hightower is one of them, and is the one the Kairos program assists.
Kairos Prison Ministry Program is an international operation that is in many states. “In Texas we have about 155,000 people that are incarcerated,” said Donaldson.
This program works by going to the prisons to visit those who are in prison and talk to them about God. “Kairos is an individual’s special time with God,” said Donaldson. “It’s God’s time that we are spending with the prisoners.”
Every year, there are about 50 volunteers in the Kairos program who go twice a year for 3 and half days to visit prisoners at Hightower. During these days members of the program and volunteers present bible lessons, “we sing, we pray,” said Donaldson. “We talked about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”
These 50 volunteers, or “team members” are supported by another outside team composed of men and women. There is also participation from three inmates who have taken this program in previous years and now they work with the team.
“We go in and pair with the inmates, we’re there to build a relationship, and say there is a better way,” said Donaldson. It’s about developing a culture within that prison and they begin to think about their lives.”
With this program prisoners can find support within an environment that has rules and regulations behind bars.
Applicants for this program need to fill out an application form and only 42 are selected by Committee. The group of 42 is a diverse group. And every year there are different prisoners who participate in this program.
During the three and half days at Hightower, they distribute 25,000 bags of cookies to prisoners, this is called the day of ‘Love Cookies’, they also eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with the prisoners.
Sonny Donaldson also said there is a prisoners band, “they can play guitar, thay can play music, they’re very active and energetic.”
The Kairos program “has changed the culture for prisoners and guards about relationships and treating people with respect,” said Donaldson.
Research have shown that more than 80% of prisoners will be back in prison unless they have experienced the Kairos program or any other type of ministry program. For those who take part in a ministry program, recivitism is less than 20%.
If you want to be part of the Kairos team, they are always looking for volunteers. To make donations or support this work, please call Sonny Donaldson at 281-516-9792.