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3381 North Bond Ave., Ste 101
Fresno, CA 93726
P: 559-229-7850
F: 559-225-9008
E-mail: info@jpw3.org |
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P aul A. Willis, Fresno, CA
In 1998 Paul Willis became a leadership volunteer with Match Two Prisoner Outreach, which focused on providing a prison visitation and mentoring program for adult inmates incarcerated in California. From this initial beginning, his work quickly transitioned into pre-release programs, prison yard outreach, chapel ministry and eventually, a full "one on one" parolee reentry program based in Fresno, Ca. To date, Paul and Susan Willis have housed in their home, mentored, secured outside counseling when needed, employed and been full engaged in the reentry lives of 5 former inmates. In addition, they have participated at varying degrees with numerous others paroling in the Fresno area. In 2002, Match Two lost their California State funding for adult prisons. In an effort to maintain the mentoring program and hold the Fresno area volunteer group together, Mr Willis launched JPW3 Outreach.
Visitation, a Vital Link to the Outside:
Paul has visited numerous inmates in Avenal State Prison, Corcoran State Prison, Mountain Home Fire Camp and currently visiting an inmate with a life sentence in California State Prison, Sacramento. Due to numerous factors many inmates do not receive outside visits from family and friends. Often due to travel distance, economics and sometimes broken family relationships, many inmates have little if any contact with the outside world. Therefore a visitation and letter writing effort by an outside volunteer can be a life line to the world outside the prison walls and razor wire. More than just a break in the routine of day to day prison life, many inmates will tell you that these outside visits are the only time they can let down their guard and be just a normal person.
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