April 1, 2020
Remember those in prison. Hebrews 13:3
COVID-19 and the PA PRISON SYSTEM
"Prisons and jails are  amplifiers of infectious diseases  such as COVID-19, because the conditions that can keep diseases from spreading - such as social distancing - are nearly impossible to achieve in correctional facilities" ( Prison Policy Initiative ). The incarcerated population is uniquely vulnerable to the coronavirus. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PA Department of Corrections (DOC) has temporarily suspended all visitation, including from academic programs, in order to protect those inside. This restriction, while physically beneficial to insiders, may have a negative impact on one's emotional well being. The PADOC will provide 5 free 15-minute phone calls and 5 free emails per week, and medical co-pays will be waived if one presents with flu-like symptoms (did you know they had co-pays in prison?). Sadly, because of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in one of the PA correctional institutions, imprisoned persons there are also now quarantined--confined to their cells. Please remember them in your prayers.
FINANCIAL WELLNESS CLASSES
Wanna hear about an incredible learning experience? The EU Prison Education Program partnered with Everence® for a series of financial wellness classes at our partner institution, SCI Chester--and the students LOVED it! Fortunately, the cohort finished right before COVID-19 became a pandemic. We have an extensive waiting list of persons to take the the Financial Wellness classes, and we look forward to the next cohort. Many thanks to Kevin Gil, Bryant Neal, and Natalie Martinez (pictured above, l to r) for their dynamic facilitation, and to our students who actively engaged and worked on financial wellness issues from week to week. Well done!
OUR AWESOME SUPPORTERS
TENTH MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Rev. William B. Moore, Pastor

Pastor William B. Moore and Mrs. Pauline Moore, parents of Eastern University graduate Tamieka N. Moore Gerow, invited the PEP Director (Dr. Kimberlee A. Johnson) to Tenth Memorial Baptist Church both to preach and to share with the congregation about PEP's work in prison. The response from their Scholarship Ministry, congregation, and leaders was affirming and encouraging. We appreciate their financial investment and willingness to work with us in other ways as the program grows. What a blessing! (Kimberlee A. Johnson & Pauline Moore are pictured above, l to r).
FAST FACTS

 About 45,000 men and women are incarcerated in PA prisons.

As of March 30, 2020:
-one incarcerated PA person, at SCI Phoenix, has tested positive for COVID-19;

-no one has tested positive at our partner institution
The Center for Community Engagement (CCE) at Eastern University City Avenue opens!
Take this video tour of the City Ave location.
For more information: cce@eastern.edu .
With your financial support, the Prison Education Program students are helped. Please invest so that men return home better prepared to reunite with their families, and contribute to our communities. Your gift matters!

PEP--providing transformative education for our neighbors who are incarcerated and returning from incarceration
FOLLOW US: @EUPrisonEd