Impact for Life Book Drive!
September 3, 2008 | books, community, faith, mentoring, ministries
UPDATE!
Three checks have arrived: $25, $21, $35 (THANKS!)
Mel, Director of Impact for Life is excited that the news of this amazing ministry to women in prison is being shared. My hopes are for a miracle - the five loaves and fish kind — will you join me?
It’s rare that I step outside my comfort zone to ask anyone to help with a cause. It’s a hard thing for me to do.
But last February I traveled to Denver, CO to a conference. While I was there, I checked out a ministry in The Springs called Impact for Life. It’s a ministry to men and women in jail, but also to their families, especially their children.
Impact for Life believes that when an inmate is freed, that there must be a support system in place to help them, and their families, succeed. They start inside the prison, holding mini-conferences in prisons across the nation. They work with chaplains to create libraries and to provide books, audio materials, and support material to help them grow as a person, as a mom or dad, and in their faith. This is a complete volunteer nonprofit organization.
And it’s changing lives!
They create support groups within churches, connecting with groups such as Celebrate Recovery or other groups that will give released inmates a family and a strong support system. This works, and is showing great success.
When I went to Co Springs, I met the director, Mel Goebel as well as many of the staff. They shared that one of the greatest needs for Impact for Life was for books, to be used both inside and outside the prison.
Chaplains are willing and eager to receive books of faith that will be read daily by women.
But Impact for Life also needs books to give to each person upon release from prison – books that address their needs and that will give them the tools they need to make changes that will help them become the woman, friend, wife, mom she wants to be.
In early 2007 they shipped 11,000+ books. In spring, 2008 they shipped nearly 25,000!
This is what one Chaplain said when she received books for the women:
“What a Blessing you are! I just opened the box of books for my Jail Ministry. I broke down and cried. I have walked a mile in these inmates’ shoes and know that the books will be well received. I cannot wait to see how God uses me and now you all. I normally see 120 inmates per month, a lot go to Prison and a lot go back to their past. I sponsor women in prison in and out of jail. I am truly blessed to know you are part of my journey. Thank you.” - Teresa B., McDonough, GA
This is what I hope to achieve through the Impact for Life Book Drive:
I want to place at least 1,000 copies of The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future in the hands of the women in this nationwide program.
The cost, including books, tax, and shipping will be approximately $7,500 (at a discounted rate through the publisher) and it will be a miracle.
But I believe in miracles. : )
I receive no royalties, fees, renumeration of any kind for this. But this is the deal. I’ve taught this book (Mom I Want to Be and Pushing Past Your Past) in workshops, or rehab facilities, or with hurting woman and I’ve seen the light go on as they realized that God cares about their past, can heal their hearts, and how to unpack unhealthy parenting baggage so that they can give their children something greater.
To me, that’s priceless.
I plan to buy books for this drive, but I need your help. It can be a small drive or perhaps many will join in this drive with me. Will you? There are several ways that you can join in this cause:
- pray
- donate funds for one copy (or more) of The Mom I Want to Be
You can donate through Paypal. My ID is tseller@daretobelieve.org (Please mark it “Impact for Life Book Drive“.) The discounted rate for one book, including shipping, is $7. A case is even cheaper per book! You can donate one case for $275. (Or any amount in between — every cent will be used for buying and shipping books to Impact for Life.)
You can donate by sending a check. E-mail me and I’ll share the address.
But let’s not stop there. What else can someone do to help in this book drive?
- if you are an author friend or musical artist, send some of your books or CD’s to Impact for Life
Impact for Life Ministries
1107 Garden of the Gods Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
- Start your own drive for books for this ministry on your blog or in your church.
- Share this drive with your blog readers - SYNERGY!
Let’s see what we can do together, okay? One book, one family impacted, one small act multiplied by God’s grace. Let’s do it!
Permission was granted by Impact for Life to share this information and to create the Impact for Life Book Drive by Mel Goebel, Director of Impact for Life.
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Suzie, this is a wonderful project. I pray that you will reach and surpass your goal of placing 1,000 books! God bless!
August 28th, 2008 at 1:04 pmSuzie,
August 28th, 2008 at 4:00 pmGreat project. I have you as a link on my blog today. Please let me know the address where to send a check!
Thanks!
Lynn
Hey Cheryl and Lynn, Thanks for the encouragement! I’ll send you a private e-mail asap!
August 28th, 2008 at 4:11 pmI’m your biggest fan. I think you are awesome for doing this project let me know where I can send a check also. Melony
August 28th, 2008 at 8:19 pm