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What Do We Need to Start New Dismas Groups?
The goal of Dismas Fellowship is to offer support and community for those who have experienced incarceration. Yet, our ability to do that depends largely on the number and quality of people willing to volunteer in the formation of a Dismas group. Before any Dismas Fellowship can be formed, the number one necessity is a strong group of dedicated volunteers! There doesn't have to be many, but these individuals need to be committed and organized.
Once it is established that a city or town might be a good location for a new Dismas, it is essential to have people who can credibly that group. This means forming good relations with Probation and Parole Offices. This means connecting with churches and other groups that might be interested in supporting the work. This means setting up a Steering Committee so that one or two people don't "burn out" trying to do it all.
It is unfortunate that we have some regions with former inmates who are asking for a local Dismas, but we do not yet have the capacity to begin. I am sometimes asked, "Why can't we start a Dismas in this city?" My answer is "We can! But we have to have a core group of faithful volunteers who are willing to be trained to do the work." Perhaps someone reading this might reach out and begin to coordinate with friends and faith groups to lay the foundation for a Dismas in your region. Let me know if I can help you "get off the ground!" Dismas is growing, but there is still so much more that we could do!
Paul Tuck, Community Coordinator
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