Awakenings

"Awakenings" is designed to help inmates and ex-offenders examine their attitudes and behaviors. Awakenings uses adult learning tools such as presentations, group discussions, role-playing, videos and the completion of written exercises both during and outside of class. Another important aspect is helping participants understand their own emotions and those of others with whom they come in contact. The goal of Awakenings is to return the participant to society with a better understanding of the personal responsibility they have for their actions and new skills needed to cope with their fluctuating emotions and a new control over their actions.

The program will consist of fourteen weekly sessions at three hours per session

• Session 1: Introduction, exploration of family life, introduction to self-esteem
• Session 2: Examination of self-esteem, assertive vs. aggressive behavior, body language
• Session 3: Increasing self-esteem, rules, boundaries, values
• Session 4: Stereotyping, power, control, anger, rage, violence
• Session 5: Victims, empathy, stages of victimization, errors in thinking and behavior
• Session 6: Understanding anger, anger triggers, styles, assertive rights
• Session 7: Anger management, relaxation techniques, role-playing
• Session 8: Violent behaviors, emotional abuse, monitoring your anger
• Session 9: Domestic violence, power, control, intimacy
• Session 10: Trauma, grief, stress reduction
• Session 11: Healthy relationships, dysfunction, addictive relationships
• Session 12: Intimacy, counterfeit, deviant and supportive relationships, sexual abuse
• Session 13: Wellness, healthy habits, inner voice, forgiveness and freedom
• Session 14: A Celebration of Change Ceremony

The "Awakenings" program offers an opportunity for an individual to look at their attitudes and behaviors. The group work supports behavioral changes. This program is making a difference in the lives of individuals and families in Southern Illinois.

The program has been held since October, 2006 in Jackson County, Carbondale and Murphysboro, Illinois, in partnership with Jackson County Probation. Within the past year twenty-eight individuals have graduated from the program. During the summer months of 2007 the program was offered at the Illinois Youth Center in Harrisburg, graduating six incarcerated youth.

Funding the Awakenings has been through a bequest and other community donations, such as: a Gundlach Family Bequest; Catholic Charities of Southern Illinois; Fellowship of Southern Illinois Laity; Catholic parishes of St. Andrew, Murphysboro, St. Frances Xavier, Carbondale, Holy Spirit of Carterville and the Catholic Newman Center; and some proceeds from the annual Catholic Social Services' Charity Breakfast Fundraiser.

Funding is needed to continue the program beyond the current calendar year. Our current costs are: $2,100.00 for a fourteen week program at the Youth facility, and $5,000.00 for a fourteen week program offered for morning and evening sessions for adults in the community. Your financial support is welcome.

For more information, contact the Catholic Social Services' Carbondale office at 800-997-3981, or 618-351-0743 Ext. 11, or marylou@cssil.org