There’s a non-profit organization that I’m just learning about. It’s been around for more than a few years now, and is worthy to share with our SCOOP Readers.
The name of the organization is Community Forgiveness and Restoration Initiative (CFR). In short, organization members work to uplift people who are incarcerated; and who want to do better when they complete their sentences and come home. The organization is also about helping returning citizens reacclimate to living in society, assisting them with job training, employment, and other resources.
The executive director of Community Forgiveness and Restoration Initiative, Penny McDonald, is someone I’ve known for almost 20 years. I first met her when she was a staff member for former PA State Representative Ron Waters in Southwest Philadelphia. I always found her to be a committed, concerned and caring public servant who didn’t get big-headed like some folks do when they get to work for an elected official. To me, Penny McDonald always understood what it is to work for an elected official. You become a public servant, and your job is to help serve the citizens in your boss’ jurisdiction. I can also recall a few times when I met up with Penny McDonald and some other people who went to visit inmates at Graterford prison. I also recall one live broadcast we did from a school in former Rep. Waters’ District. He had gotten permission for an audio link back to Graterford prison, so the youth at the school could verbally interact with inmates determined to deter young people from making the same mistakes they did.
When I say Penny McDonald is the real deal and someone who cares about helping people (who have been incarcerated) get on track when they come home, I mean it.
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Thank you for reading Thera Martin’s article on scoopnewsusa.com. For more on “Community Forgiveness and Restoration”, please subscribe to SCOOP USA Media. Print subscriptions are $75 and online subscriptions (Print, Digital, and VIZION) are $90. (52 weeks / 1 year).
