Wings Events in Prisons

by Ann Edenfield

Three Wings Parties/Events have been held in New Mexico Prisons at the invitation of the corrections department.

Los Lunas Minimum Restrict Facility - Las Lunas, NM

The first ever Wings Party/Event in a prison was on October 19, 2002. Inmates from the Crossings Unit, a special Christian unit for inmates, invited their family members to join them in this historic event. Chaplain Paul Collins led us in a providential Bible study — building our faith on a firm foundation. One of the most powerful comments from one of the inmates was, "The highlight of the party was having my family see me worship and pray to God for the first time!" He had become a Christian in prison and his wife and children had never seen him pray before. Everyone present that day had his or her lives forever touched in a special way. But we never dreamt that those inmates would touch the Wings Ministry even more profoundly.

A few weeks ago we received a call from Helen Carr, the NM Corrections Family Liaison Director. She had met with inmates from the Los Lunas Prison Crossings Division. The inmates had collected $350 amongst themselves and they wanted to make a donation to an organization(s). Helen suggested several worthy organizations and yet, when the men got back to her, she said they had voted to donate all $350 to the Wings Ministry!

This is a VERY large amount of money for inmates to donate, as inmates only earn $0.11 per hour. $350 took at least 3,182 hours of labor. If one inmate worked 8 hours per day, it would have taken him 398 days to earn $350! Those same 3,182 hours of labor at minimum wage of $5.15/hour would have been equivalent to a gift of $16,388.00! I was brought to tears by their generosity and positive endorsement of the Wings Ministry. Apparently we have made a difference in their lives and they showed their belief and support of Wings through their generous donation!

On September 16, 2003, ten volunteers from the Wings Ministry Team in Albuquerque visited the men in the Los Lunas Minimum Restrict Crossings Unit. A photo collage was presented as a gift to the men in the unit. Warden Art Murphy accepted the photo on behalf of the men. The collage, featuring a photocopy of their $350 check and photos taken at the October 18, 2002 Wings Party, will be framed and permanently mounted in the Crossings Unit. It will serve as a reminder to future inmates that even though they are in prison, they can make positive choices that influence not only their loved ones, but the community as well. Over a 100 dozen cookies were baked by Wings volunteers and cookies were distributed to every inmate and staff member at the prison.

Grants Women's Prison - Grants, NM

The Valentine's Day Wings Party/Event at the Women's Prison in Grants, NM was filled with love. For the first time ever, Wings volunteers drove inmates' family members to the prison for the party. The party was so well received that we were invited back to host another Valentine's Day Party in 2004 before we even left that day.

Santa Fe Minimum Restrict Prison - Santa Fe, NM

A Father's Day Wings Party was held at the Santa Fe prison on Saturday, June 14. This was a wonderful day, filled with love, fellowship, food and fun. We are grateful to have been allowed this opportunity. Top officials from the New Mexico Corrections Department were there, including Secretary of Corrections Joe Williams. Helen Carr, New Mexico Corrections Department Family Liaison Director, was also in attendance and has this to say — "The Wings Ministry provides a tremendous support system for inmates and their families. By promoting `family reunification', it helps to build and reinforce the existing family structure. Observing families participating in activities together has been overwhelming. It's amazing to see how a `Wings' gathering can be so effective and bring so much happiness to everyone involved."

We have been blessed to have Homer Gonzales, New Mexico Corrections Department Director of Faith-based Programs, involved in the Wings Ministry from its beginning, 9 years ago. Homer says, "Ann and her four sons have `been there' when it comes to understanding the plight of inmate families after their loved one is incarcerated. Not only does Ann have a unique empathy toward inmate families, but she also has the unique ability to communicate with those same families as well as communicating with correction's staff and faith community volunteers. The Wings Ministry provides a model and training resources for the faith community to become involved with inmate families who are the `forgotten victims in the shadow of crime'."

Rev. Dr. Paul C. Collins, former prison Chaplain says, "The Wing's Ministry is making a difference in the lives of the families of those who have loved ones in the prisons and jails around the country and need a touch of God's love."