October 2017
Happy Halloween !October is my favorite month. For starters the cool days of Autumn are by far better than the summer heat- I am a cold weather person.
Also, Halloween starts the holiday season where we spend time with family and friends more. I love seeing all my cousins and old friends again, that have been off doing great things. October rules.
Furthermore, November w ill be six years that the P.P.R. outreach project has been running. Sometimes I feel like we don't reach enough people, but I can't stop trying. We want to push forward with trying to transform our current correctional system. Especially if these solutions can be implemented before a person reaches the legal system: rehabilitation, counseling, education. This is the dream of the P.P.R. family.
We also think that people can recover fully. Many of us in the prison system deal with attitudes that do not share such a positive outlook. And its these battles that we engage in to remind all of us t hat these are humans with families inside these places.
Much love from P.P.R. family. You are not alone.
James Andrews- Co-founder of P.P.R.
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January 2016
Happy New Year PPR faithful. We are excited for the new year, and we have many new things in store.
This year we are connecting with the SD Poetry Society. We are hoping to reach out to reservation youth this year. Poetry can be a moving way to express feelings across
the borders. Having a voice empowers people in order to edify a healthy community. We are very excited!
We are also trying to get more prisoner testimonies and words of encouragement for 2016. We hope to have a great year and look forward to positive community growth.
As always our hearts at PPR for out to those who are struggling with suicide, addiction, abuse, and indescribable circumstances like these institutions. Please be safe, we are here anytime anyone needs us God Bless..
Jimbo
Co-Founder of PPR
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December 2015
Happy Holidays everyone! We hope you have a safe and happy holiday season with your family and friends. Jon and I are filled with holiday cheer up here on the Hill. Some People take holidays real bad here in prison because they are separated from friends and family. Thats understandable, and we would like to take an extra minute out of our days to remember those who we are separated from loved ones, like here on the Hill, or overseas in the military, or as in my case because of a loss; I love you mom- the first holiday without you.
For many men in my shoes holiday blues or losing loved ones is an excuse to let go and act out, but thats not the best way and our loved ones would not want us to do that. I can relate with about any circumstance- let us know!
Happy Holidays! And stay safe..
"The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21
In many ways, the death of my mother was not a time for despair. The fact that I shared 40 beautiful years with a woman who would give anything to me is a cause for a celebration. Most men are jealous of my great mother and happily resolved to have her a surrogate. So let it b known that her passing is looked on as an end to a rare love of one person to another; a mothers love- one of the greatest gifts on this planet. I love you mom!
Jimbo
Co-Founder of PPR
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November 2016
Happy Thanksgiving! I love this time of year; nice and cool outside with friends and family. I pray you all have a great holiday.
This is our forth year anniversary at P.P.R. ! I can hardly believe it. We hope to outreach as many as we can. For everyone who has hung in there, you are the greatest. We love you and are dedicated to the well- being of our communities. We are always looking for ways in which to improve our outreach program. Don't be shy! Its been a great four years.
Jimbo-
Co-Founder of P.P.R
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October 2015
What a month! In four years of outreach with P.P.R. , I have not missed a month t write something, not matter how small for the cause. However, last month devastation struck the outreach team with the loss of Maggie Andrews, my mom and one of the four original founders of the outreach team; Icound not write anything it seemed and still feel off balance.
Let me say that the team has rallied around me with encouragement and support. Thanks to the PPR
community: Colleen, Phil, Jon, and Kylie; and the rest of the extended community for your prayers and kind words. In many ways, this was our original design for the outreach- to help those who are hurting. And now that person is me, ironically.
In years before when I did not have healthy support, I would have used this tragedy as an excuse to act out and party. The team does not encourage such behavior because we all know, through experiences that such action just makes things worse. I know that many people can relate with such situations and attitudes. Always remember that this team is here with open arms no matter who or what your situation. I speak from direct experience. If you do not have a group of loving people then you are unarmed for life. That is how I used to feel and this is how I knot that we need community.
God Bless, Stay safe..\
Jimbo
Co-Founder of PPR
July 2015
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Tradition Seven: Every group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
Strange really for alcoholics to be good enough with money to decline outside help! But its true, if money is a concern then the spiritual side of the program is a wash. It seems that my sobriety became mature when I stopped the impulsive spending I did when I was a drunk.( Or should I say an active drunk!)
One thing is for sure- spirituality and money are a hard mix. And nothing but the grace of God sobered me up! It sure wasn't money or material things. Make no mistake sobriety, for an alcoholic, is a very sensitive thing that is easily mucked up by worrying a bout anything except staying clean. And that includes money.
Jimbo
July 2015
Happy Independence Day!
July is a great time of year for family. The summer heat to enjoy outside activities along with fireworks always makes a great weekend. Enjoy the holiday responsibly.
PPR is also attempting to transition into helping the community in better ways. We are currently working with a plan to deliver an annual scholarship to South Dakota Students Education is paramount.
One avenue of interest for the educational direction of the PPR outreach is the arts and humanities of South Dakota. Short stories and poetry are of special interest of expression. Many of societies struggles are positively communicated through the arts and literature. We want to put more forms of art on the blog. Health expression is an alternative to the more destructive devices commonly used in and out of the prison.
Stay safe and help us contribute to a healthy South Dakota.
Jimbo
Co-Founder of PPR
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June 2015
Tradition 6:" An AA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose."
This is a hard one for me because I am putting A.A. material on the P.P.R. blog. Conflict arises here in many levels. Anonymity is compromised. These are tough points and I must ensure that the outreach and A.A. do not cross ideals.
First, lets make clear, A.A. does not endorse this blog. I am simply a drunk who found a way to stay off the sauce (and drugs). Therefore, I proclaim the ways in which I have found peace and serenity from my demons and present it as a free gift to anyone who may need it. I enjoy feedback too.
Secondly, my anonymity is trivial in todays sage of information. I say this because my name, crime and incarceration are truly public knowledge. I embrace my faults move on in a good way and dedicate my energy to family and community.
The actual tradition is designed to prevent A.A. from becoming mixed up in confusing interests. A.A. is strictly a system of sobriety, a cure for a disease.
Jimbo
Co-Founder of PPR
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April 2015
Happy Easter!
My favorite time of year because my birthday is in this month. Every so often my birthday actually falls on Easter.
Great things for P.P.R. we are trying to do more things in the community from behind the walls. We enjoy connecting with sobriety houses, education centers, and other community pillars like Face it Together in Sioux Falls. If you are struggling in any way with any addiction or problems, find someone, something before prison, or worse, is staring you right in the face.
Stay healthy out there and have a wonderful holiday.
Jimbo- Co-Founder of P.P.R.
April 2015
Tradition 4: Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
Tradition Four is a license for all A.A. groups to do whatever they see fit a long as it does not threaten A.A. a a whole. Every group has a right to fun it's meetings however they see fit. Sounds crazy letting a bunch of drunks run things; after all, we could hardly handle our own lives.
But it works because all the trial and error are great lessons for every group. Reading the big book and other literature reveals past mistakes from other groups Today we have a wealth of kno3ledge to help us through.
For me I follow old timers around and do what they say. I pick up wisdom and support every meeting. Go to meetings, get a sponsor, and stay sober! Good Luck!
Jimbo-Co Founder of P.P.R.
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March 2015
Tradition Five: Each group has but one primary purpose to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
And here I am, sober for two and a half years, trying to help drunks like I used to be the only way to keep the gift of sobriety is to give it away. Sounds cliche, and it is, at times. But how would it sound if I asked you for money? Or if I tried to convince you to be religious.
The fact of the matter is that sobriety isn't like anything else, there is no other message like anything else, there is no other message that can cure, there is nothing as important as my sobriety; everything else is ruined without it. Genuine, to the point, no angles; such things come hard to convicts like me.
I will say that my life today is for different then when I was drunk. People that have not seem me in years hardly recognize my attitude and spirit. I'm dependently free, even in prison!
Jimbo- Co Founder of P.P.R.
March 2015
Happy Mothers Day!
Especially to the moms of P.P.R. Maggie and Colleen. We can't do this without mom's as is true for the rest of the world.
P.P.R. also has an invitation from Pastor Fred of Peace Within Reach of Ministry out of center of Hope. Pastor Fred wants to feature a booklet of testimony from P.P.R. as well as some crafts. It's good to be part of good programs with good people like pastor Fred, a true par of our community.
P.P.R. is coming up on four years since it's foundation. Jon and I are staying true to our life long commitment to our community through nonviolence, sobriety, and volunteer work. If anyone has a testimony or wants to be part of the P.P.R. team please contact us!
Jimbo- Co Founder of P.P.R.
March 2015
Tradition Three: The only requirement for A.A. Membership is a desire to stop drinking.
The heart of sobriety depends on unity and support. What would happen if A. A. picked who is appropriate for the program? I/m sure i would not be a member, a violent criminal! I surely would be last on the list.
So how would that work, if guys like me were not allowed to be A.A. members. Goodbye to this blog! A.A. is the reason I am healthy enough to care about sobriety And who else would the program have overlooked? So many lives saved because anyone can be a member.
You are an A.A. member if, and only if, you are. If you work the steps, get drunk between meetings, commit crimes. You are a member if you want to be. We all have room to grown. Some more then others.
I know it sounds like chaos but it works. Any long time member who is truly sober will tell you if you do not adhere to spiritual living you will drink, if your alcoholic. So keep on comin back, even, especially, if you don't have sobriety.
God Bless!
Jimbo-Co Founder of P.P.R.
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Happy Mothers Day!
Especially to the moms of P.P.R. Maggie and Colleen. We can't do this without mom's as is true for the rest of the world.
P.P.R. also has an invitation from Pastor Fred of Peace Within Reach of Ministry out of center of Hope. Pastor Fred wants to feature a booklet of testimony from P.P.R. as well as some crafts. It's good to be part of good programs with good people like pastor Fred, a true par of our community.
P.P.R. is coming up on four years since it's foundation. Jon and I are staying true to our life long commitment to our community through nonviolence, sobriety, and volunteer work. If anyone has a testimony or wants to be part of the P.P.R. team please contact us!
Jimbo- Co Founder of P.P.R.
March 2015
Tradition Three: The only requirement for A.A. Membership is a desire to stop drinking.
The heart of sobriety depends on unity and support. What would happen if A. A. picked who is appropriate for the program? I/m sure i would not be a member, a violent criminal! I surely would be last on the list.
So how would that work, if guys like me were not allowed to be A.A. members. Goodbye to this blog! A.A. is the reason I am healthy enough to care about sobriety And who else would the program have overlooked? So many lives saved because anyone can be a member.
You are an A.A. member if, and only if, you are. If you work the steps, get drunk between meetings, commit crimes. You are a member if you want to be. We all have room to grown. Some more then others.
I know it sounds like chaos but it works. Any long time member who is truly sober will tell you if you do not adhere to spiritual living you will drink, if your alcoholic. So keep on comin back, even, especially, if you don't have sobriety.
God Bless!
Jimbo-Co Founder of P.P.R.
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February 2015
Happy Valentines Day! This month is also Black History month and host to Presidents Day. this month is full of love and respect as the cold winter shuts many of us in (if we're lucky).
P.P.R. is excited about continued dedication to homegrown American values of hard work and family. As P.P.R. grown into new horizons with progressive community foundations like Face it Together, we hope to meet new friends. Please feel free to contact us with any stories of inspiration and victory. anyone can contact me, Jimbo, by snail mail at: James Andrews #17834
SDSP Box 5911 Sioux Falls, SD. 57117-5911.
And the rest of us are also available too through emails. I hope to hear from you!
We would also like to recognize Jon Rogness as a new AVP facilitator in training. Jon is a founder of P.P.R. and is starting to teach the skills that keep him no-violent, sober, and a true winner! Here's to Jon!
Tradition Two; For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority- A loving God as He many express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
A.A. is awesome in so many ways! Tradition two is groundwork for keeping ourselves out of the path of the bigger picture- the group. God will shine through no matter how we think we are in control. We must be diligent not to be controlling or selfish in our motives. If we think anyone owes us anything no matter how much we've sacrificed, for our duty to the group then we've already lost sight on what's really important, GOD!
Jimbo- Co- Founder of P.P.R.
January 2014
Here at P.P.R. we put recovery first. One avenue of recovery that has worked for me, Jimbo, is
Alcoholics Anonymous. Therefore, we feature step work every month. Since steps one through twelve was featured last year, this year the twelve traditions well be featured.
Tradition One: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on A.A. unity.
The group first. Such a suggestion makes me feel like the group cares little for me. However, if I don't follow this tradition there is no penalty no punishment. anyone in A.A. knows that no one can be kicked out of demoted. this is because we all know in A.A. that if you are not working the steps and traditions on a spiritual level then you are subject to the old vices of yesterday. To be back on a drunk would be for worse than any punishment the group could impose on me. After all the group is everything.
Stay Sober,
Jimbo- Co Founder of P.P.R.
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January 2015
Happy New Year!
What another good year for P.P.R. We are really trying to develop an outreach program with a positive impact on our community. another goal here at P.P.R. is to link with healthy community foundations in order to become more effective. We are always looking for guest writers and anyone who would like to volunteer their time to support preventing and recovery.
We also have time for anyone in need. If there is a way we can help, especially with addiction, feel free to send an email. we are on Facebook as well.
Have a great New Year!
Jimbo-Co Founder of P.P.R.
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December 2014
Jimbo and Jon would like to share a special message with all of you today. DECEMBER 2014!!!!!!! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! we are excited to start a new year with so many ideas and events on the horizon. Have a safe holiday season with family and friends.
Living a non-violent lifestyle inside prison is challenging. The first tool that empowers a peaceful mind is sobriety. Thinking straight and avoiding bad friends are just two advantages that aid conflict prev...ention inside prison, as well as anywhere. And there is not doubt that spiritual development is paramount in navigating effectively in a violent atmosphere. There are many more things that support a non-violent lifestyle like honesty and respect. We encourage anyone who desires to live is such a way to connect with avpusa.org or simply get in contact with anyone from P.P.R we will get in touch Live well Jon and Jimbo.
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October 2014Living a non-violent lifestyle inside prison is challenging. The first tool that empowers a peaceful mind is sobriety. Thinking straight and avoiding bad friends are just two advantages that aid conflict prev...ention inside prison, as well as anywhere. And there is not doubt that spiritual development is paramount in navigating effectively in a violent atmosphere. There are many more things that support a non-violent lifestyle like honesty and respect. We encourage anyone who desires to live is such a way to connect with avpusa.org or simply get in contact with anyone from P.P.R we will get in touch Live well Jon and Jimbo.
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Fall is officially here and the cold is coming in. P.P.R. is near to a three year anniversary next month. Thanks everyone who believes in this mission Jon and I have developed, with the of Mom Rogness of course. Thank You, Colleen! We couldn't do this without you.
This month also has a couple celebrations, Native American Day and Halloween. Celebrate with friends and family safely. Many of us men are here in this prison for one moment of weakness or bad decisions related to alcohol and drugs. Enjoy your families.
this month is also breast cancer awareness moth. Our mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces all are valuable assets to our family units, that we cannot do without. Let us appreciate how valuable they are this month especially.
Live Well,
Jimbo
Co-Founder, P.P.R.
Step 10: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
The difference between the step and step four is that step four deals with everything prior to sobriety. Step 10 should be worked once sobriety is established. This is a big difference because step four will deal with ones history and step 10 will deal with day to day inventory. After working the twelve steps, one should repeat step 1 daily, weekly, monthly. This is a constant inventory.
Inventory is important because resentments build up if not dealt with. My alcoholism was a product of my depression, anxiety, fear and sadness that wasn't dealt with. This deep anger and lack of self-esteem caused my desire to become drunk so I could escape who i really was. really all I was doing was causing more regrets and resentments.
Now I don't interact with people in negative ways. Because when I review my inventory I don't like finding painful things. Now when I start into anger or any other negative reaction with someone i feel really ugly right away. I don't like that so I don't do it anymore.
Stay Safe.
Jimbo
Co-Founder, P.P.R.
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September 2014
INTEGRITY
Just wanted to share some thoughts. We are reading a book in our self reflection group. It's Tony Dungy's book "Uncommon". I was reading chapter 2 and he was focusing on integrity. I think everyone knows what integrity means. What you do when no one is watching. Doing the right thing all the time. Even when you can benefit from cheating or lying and nobody would ever know the difference. It's about keeping your word. Doing what you said you would do , just because you said you would. Or not doing what you promised you wouldn't. I like how he describes it in his book as an "internal compass and rudder that directs you where you know you should go". Have you ever had that where you did something you knew was wrong but if felt good or got you ahead and you were absolutely positive that nobody else knew? So what does it hurt if nobody knew? It seems like those "secret" things always end up hurting us more when you find out that someone lied to you about something a month ago, doesn't that make you question everything else they have old you since then? It works that way for me. I use to have such a problem with this. My lies would pile up on top of each other and when they fell, they crushed hard. Those little mistruths that don't seem like they should matter always escalate. Lies become bigger and bigger. People think that reputation and integrity are the same. They are not. Your reputation is the public perception of your integrity. What other people think of you, but that may or may bot be accurate. Other people determine your reputation, only you can determine your integrity. It's important to keep your integrity in check. Remember thats when no one is looking or will ever find out.
By Jon Rogness
Co-Founder of PPR
INTEGRITY
Just wanted to share some thoughts. We are reading a book in our self reflection group. It's Tony Dungy's book "Uncommon". I was reading chapter 2 and he was focusing on integrity. I think everyone knows what integrity means. What you do when no one is watching. Doing the right thing all the time. Even when you can benefit from cheating or lying and nobody would ever know the difference. It's about keeping your word. Doing what you said you would do , just because you said you would. Or not doing what you promised you wouldn't. I like how he describes it in his book as an "internal compass and rudder that directs you where you know you should go". Have you ever had that where you did something you knew was wrong but if felt good or got you ahead and you were absolutely positive that nobody else knew? So what does it hurt if nobody knew? It seems like those "secret" things always end up hurting us more when you find out that someone lied to you about something a month ago, doesn't that make you question everything else they have old you since then? It works that way for me. I use to have such a problem with this. My lies would pile up on top of each other and when they fell, they crushed hard. Those little mistruths that don't seem like they should matter always escalate. Lies become bigger and bigger. People think that reputation and integrity are the same. They are not. Your reputation is the public perception of your integrity. What other people think of you, but that may or may bot be accurate. Other people determine your reputation, only you can determine your integrity. It's important to keep your integrity in check. Remember thats when no one is looking or will ever find out.
By Jon Rogness
Co-Founder of PPR
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August 2014
Hello again P.P.R. World.. We are having a great summer with many new ideas and expansions in the outreach program. It seems this project keeps getting better and better.
First, we are expanding to Facebook with the help of Kylie. Thanks Kylie and welcome to the P.P.R. team! We hope to become more interactive with the community and start a weekly updae for those of you who want more. Hopefully this will also give people the chance to respond more effectively so we can interact with people easier.
Also,we are working on craft items to donate to sick children through Face It Together, Sioux Falls. The items will go to Avera Children's ward if all goes as planned. We can help our community from prison instead of just sitting in a cell. Let's make this world better for everyone!
As usual we are all about rehabilitation her at P.P.R. We realize that there are many ways to achieve a healthy life. One of the ways that worked for me, Jimbo, is Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) Therefore we feature the step that correlates with the month. For instance, this is the 8th month so we feature the 8th step.
"We made a list of all person we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."
This step is the dreaded amends process. Many people feel this is the backbone to the step process. I guess I feel the same way to a certain extent. There are many dynamics that make this step important.
To begin with, this step is to be done after one has developed a personal relationship with the highest power and worked on personal issues. This is important because we should have let go of all the excuses and justifications at this point. We should now be honest and have a real list of things that we might not have been accountable for in the past. The key to this step is to be willing to make amends.
Also, this list should be done with a sponsor because it leads into the next step, as all steps do. Some of these may be developed more slowly because of how powerful some of our past mistakes may be. My list is large and most of the people on it are now starting to see the truth in my amends after two years!
They were so used to me saying I'm sorry then turning around and doing it again.
Stay Sober!
Jimbo,
Co-Founder of P.P.R.
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July 2014
Here are different steps that I have found helpful from a book that was shared with me. I would like to share these steps, one step each month.
Step 1
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol.. Our lives had become unmanageable.
Admitting powerlessness runs contrary to many our cultural messages that say, "Be strong"! Be the master of your own destiny! The admission of powerlessness also conflicts with the addictive message because the addiction itsef tells us, "you have a high tolerance! Use more of me! You can handle it!
Nevertheless, the central paradox of step 1 is that the admission of complete defeat permits a life-transforming victory through recovery. The admission of powerlessness over an addiction actually becomes the foundation for the strength to eventually overcome the dependance. Admitting powerlessness is absolutely essential to breaking the addiction cycle, which is made up in 5 points.
1) Pain
2) Reaching out to an addictive agent, such as work, food, sex, alcohol, or dependent relationships to solve our pain.
3. Temporary anaesthesia
4) Negative Consequences
5) Shame and guilt, which result in more pain or low self-esteem.
For example, the workaholic who has low self-esteem (pain begins to overwork (addictive agent) which results in praise, success, and achievement (relief). However, as a rule, family relationships and his personal relationship with God suffer terribly because of preoccupation with work (negative consequences) . The result is an even greater sense of shame and quilt because of inadequacies, both real and imagined, which brings him back to point 1 in the addiction cycle. Now the workaholic feels compelled to work even harder to overcome his guilt. Understanding the addiction cycle is important because it helps explain why the admission of powerlessness is the first step to recovery. Otherwise, we remain caught. If we rely on will power along, then the only thing we know to do is to escalate our addiction to get out of the pain. Step 1 calls us to do less-to yield, to surrender, to let go.
2 factors that keep the addiction cycle going are:
1) The fear of withdrawal
2) Denial
First, in order to take step 1, we have to move beyond the rear of stepping off the addiction cycle. We may fear withdrawal and the pain that goes with it. Doctors historically thought that withdrawal in drug addiction was gaily biochemical and physical. It is true that when the heroin addict stops taking heroin, for example, the mind and body literally rebel as they struggle to restore balance. However addictionologists now believe that the emotional and spiritual components of withdrawal from addiction are of far greater significance than the physiological dimensions. The workaholic, for example goes through withdrawal when he tries to cut back on work activities. The real fear in this case is probably the emotional fear of losing control. The paradox of Step 1 is that the act of surrendering addictive control will actually bring us back into the states of healthy control.
Second, we have to break out of denial about our addictions. Denial is a cloak of self-deception that blinds us and shields us from an honest assessment of our own dependencies. Some of the common denial messages with which we may delude ourselves are." I can stop any time I want to." "Things aren't that bad." "I only practice my addiction because I want too." "When things get better(or worse) then I'll quit." We may even project blame onto someone else, saying, " You make me do what I do!" All of these messaged deny the force the addictions impose on our lives.
Breaking our of demial often requires a painful encounter with the consequences of our addiction, called " Hitting bottom." Hitting bottom forces us to admit our powerlessness over our addictive lifestyes. The three major bottoms we hit are:
1)A physical bottom
2 An emotional bottom
3)A spiritual bottom
Common specific examples of "bottoms" that precipitate recovery include:
1) A marital crisis
2) A physical health crisis (as in the case of the workaholic who suffers a heart attack)
3)Confrontation by a family member or loved one.
4) Vocational or life-purpose crisis(a pink slip that forces one to look at their addiction)
5) A financial crisis
6) A spiritual crisis, a feeling of alienation from God.
The addiction cycle, as a rule, cannot be broken without yielding to a power outside ourselves. We may have to surrender again and again. As we admit our powerlessness over, not only the primary addiction, but over various other aspects of our lives. We must recognize when we are powerless over people. places and situations and learn to let those things go. For example, when we are caught in f reeway traffic, instead of allowing anxiety and anger to build, we admit that we cannot alter the situation. In even the most trivial issues we face, we must learn to become flexible. We may also find ourselves switching addictions or transferring obsessions, and will need to apply the first step to tesenew dependancies as well.
For codependents, control or lack of it, is central to every aspect of life. As we admit our powerlessness, we embark upon the antidote for our control addiction, an addiction characterized by extreme of both over control and under-control. For example, workaholic may overontrol efforts to achieve and accomplish. What tends to be under-controlled is the quality of spiritual life and the investment of time and emotional intimacy with family members. By admitting powerlessness, he opens the door to allow God to create a healthy, new balance in which he can lessen the compusive control excerisized in the work arena. He can then begin to experience greater positive control over his contribution to family relationships and his creation of quality private time.
We should not be fearful that powerlessness will result in passivity. On the contrary, to admit powerlessness is to subordinate our human wills to God's will so that we can become the most effective and potent instruments were created to be.
Use these scriptures to understand about admitting the unmanageability of our lives:
Matt. 9:36
Romans 7:18-20
Psalm 6:2-4
Psalm 31:9,10
Psalm 38:1-9
Psalm 44:15,16
Psalm 72:12,13
Taken from
Jon Rogness
Co-founder of P.P.R.
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July 2015
Happy 4th everyone. We are truly blessed here at P.P.R. and hope all the same blessings. Have a safe holiday with friends and family and remember to drive safe and drive sober. Many of my fellow prisoners got behind the wheel under the influence and they accidental took another life. And for that they are never leaving this prison. Please think safe and sober.
Here on the "Hill" Jon and I are getting more involved with our communities through many programs including P.P. R. Our message and goals fareput into motion by Jon's mom, Colleen. We would have no voice without her. Thanks again Mrs. Rogness for all that you do? And I am proud to say that we have another volunteer Kylie. Hopefuly we can organize a Facebook page so that our communications with the world will improve. Welcome Kylie!
It is important to remember that no-violence is a coumminity responsibility. Alternatives to Violence (AVP) is a dynamic program designed to bring conflict resolution skills to prisoners. These skills are universal and many AVP programs are available at avusa.org. Stay Safe.
Jimbo- co-founder of P.P.R.
P.P.R. supports recovery in all facets and believes recovery can take place in many different paths. One such path that worked for me, Jimbo is A.A. For this reason P.P.R. features the step which correlates with the current month. For instance this being the 7th month so the 7th step is featured.
Step 7: Humbly asked Him(God) to remove our short comings.
One of the keys to this step, besides the honest desire for improvement, is the aspect of "humbly" asking. Humility is something lost to an alcoholic, at least for me. My desire for self-gratification left no room for being humble. Honestly I didn't know what humility was, until sobriety. Im finding out when I align my will with a higher power my selfishness disappears. In turn I experience a greater sense of peace and joy than ever before. The freedom that humility affords is so powerful that when I find myself regressing into selfish motives I feel ugly and agitated. Seek for yourself and you will find that you will never turn away from ease and comfort of peace and humility.
Jimbo: Co-founder of P.P.R.
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June 2014
Happy Fathers Day! P.P.R. is proud of the men in our families and men of our nation for providing and portecting our families. So thank you to all the Dads out there and especially to Phil and Jim the fathers of P.P.R.'s founders. Happy Fathers Day!
This is also the beginning of summer so move over cold and snow and hello to hot sunny days. A point to remember this summer; violence and crime always rise with the temperate as more people interact more often. Please keep in mind the safety of our communities and families this summer. One such avenue of skill building is the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) This interactive workshop is based on communication, community, and conflict resolution skills. Go to avpusa.rg for the AVP opportunities in South Dakota.
Jimbo
Co-founder of P.P.R.
P.P.R. is dedicated to recovery and knows that there are many ways in which recovery can be achieved for me, Jimbo, A.A. and the 12 steps ave worked for me s o every month P.P.R. features the step which correleates with the month. For instance, this is the sixth month so the sixth step is featured.
Step Six: We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defeats of character.
After step five, admitting the exact nature of our wrongs, we are ready to act on our removal of these wrongs. For me, when i work this step, the key is to be "entirely ready" to have God remove all these effects of character. So I didn't remove all my character defects over night by working step six but made a commitment to be ready to remove the defects. This new attitude allowed me to look at myself as I went through my day. I became more aware of my motivations behind my actions and developed more confidence to change for the better since I agreed to let God take control. I transformed from selfish to selfless! Stay Sober!
Jimbo
Co-founder of P.P.R.
May 2014
Happy Mothers Day! Let us celebrate the ones who gave us life this month. Our mother's nature us our whole lives and here at P.P.R. they are the caretakers of the whole organization. So we say thank you Maggie and Colleen and may you have a special day this month, we couldn't do it without you.
This month is also las to Memorial Day. Let us remember our fallen veterans who gave their lives for our freedom. Even us in prison can salute our because our prisons would be worse if not for the basic human rights our men and women uphold. We should all take the time to give thanks for such a beautiful, prosperous country heros our nation has grown into.
Prisoners for Prevention and Recovery is in the process of supporting the community in positive endeavors. One of such programs is Face it Together, Sioux Falls,SD. Face it Together is a hub for anyone in recovery from alcohol or drugs. To learn more about Face it Together call (605) 284-2262 or toll free 1-855-432-2348, and email www.faceitsiouxfalls.org
P.P.R. recognizes recovery can be achieved from a number of paths. One path that has worked for me, Jimbo, is the twelve steps of AA. Since I've found such great results from the process, we like to feature the step which correlates with the month. So June we are on step five.
Step Five: We admitted to God to ourselves and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
The dynamics to this step are hidden to most people. Step five is a real powerful step that starts healing. The key to this step is admitting the 'exact nature" of our wrongs. For instance, the time I verbally assaulted my friend was really a deeper level of resistance I had toward him because I wanted to keep drinking and he didn't . Of course calling my friend an abusive name is wrong but what is the underlying cause of my "wrong"; Anger, addiction. And when we bring this before our higher power we experience a certain level of relief, forgiveness and we can move on. And when we share it with another human being, preferably a sponsor, that person can not only listen without judging but help us find out what really lies behind our actions. But choose your person carefully if its not an AA sponsor. This step starts a magnificent healing process that feels like a load has been lifted from one's back.
April 2014
Happy Easter! And happy spring time. The winter freeze is finally over with the great tradition of easter eggs and chocolate rabbits to accompany the great weather. May everyone enjoy this month with family and friends.
The warmer weather usually brings a challenging atmosphee in our coummunites as everyone gets out more causing violence to escalate in comparison to the colder months. As peace keepers at P.P.R. we are mindful of the difficult road of non-violent we all face. We are all responsible for safe communites that are free from stereo-typing, bullying, and discrimination. The Aleternatives to Vilence Project (AVP) builds skills to deal with conflict non-violently. AVP is only one road of education. There a re countless alternatives in our communites at education centers, religious seats, and public forums. We challenge leaders and the average man to develope safe and responsible atmosheres for elarning. Non-violence is a community responsilbility.
AVPusa.org
Another aspect of a healthy life is sobriety. Here at P.P.R. we realize that there are many ways of achieving recovery. The one tht worked for me, Jimbo, is A.A. Since I've had such success P.P.R. likes to feature one step each month. The step that correlates with the month is featured. For instance, this is the fourth month so the fourth step is featured.
Step Four: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
This step is where some really hard work begins. Uncovering resentments, fers, and shame can be overwhelming. But until we are honest with ourselves in every ashion, many of our underlying feelings can never be truly resolved because we do not deal with them directly. It's also importnt to note how many things we forget we leave unresolved. I usded to say tht I really wasn't that bad. Come to find out everyone was hidding their valuables when I came around I didn't know they were that afraid. Clearly looking at our moral inventory will surprse many of us.
Another key to this step is to be through our relationships, abuses, and sexual relationships should be covered. There are many hurdles we keep in deep secret places shich prevent our growth into healthy individuals. This is a hard step but crucial to the next several as a foundation.
March 2014
Thank goodness for March for spring is near: Goodbye to sup-zero t emperatures. We would also like to wish everyone a happy St. Patricks Day. Please stay safe. St. Patricks day is traditionally a drinking festival. Here on the hill we see many men going through for drivng drunk and even some servng life for accidentlly killing someone whill driving impaired. So pleae drive safe this holiday.
This month I facilitated an (AVP) Alternatives to Violence Project. I had a blast and met many new friends. I encourage anyone who valves a health community to learn more about AVP at avpusa.org. The alternatives to Violence Project is an organization of dedicated volunteers, committed to helping peole develope effective ways of dealing with conflicts creatively, and withour violence. Its courses are offered only to voluntary participants. Each course consists of a 22 hour intensive program of evercises and discussions designed to develope self-esteem and self confidence ina trusting and supportive atmosphere, which in thrun creates a sense of community. The course teach principles of cooperation, respect, and affirmation of the dignity of every living being. Listening, communication, and observational skills are enhanced, empowering individuals to explore a variety of nonviolent solutions that are possible in almost every conflictive situaion. Non-violence is a community responsilbility that we all should develope.
P.P.R. is founded on the idea that recovery can emerge from many path. One path that has worked for me, Jimbo is the twelve steps of A.A. So every month P.P.R. features the step which correlates with the month. For instance, this is the 3rd month so the 3rd step is featured.
Step Three: We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over the care of God as we understood Him.
This step is scary for me. For one "God" is hard for some people, not me, but some. My hang up is turning my will and my life over to a higher pwer. Letting go of those little things that I have control of like drugs, was hard for me because drugs had been my boss for so long. Then the prison took the driver seat in my decision process. So there was little room for any decision that I wanted. So making a decision to turn my life over was truly one the first true decions I'd made in a long time. And what a decision it turned out to be. I now longer worried about anyone finding my stash of drugs or the lies I had said to protect my habit. My money was free all the sudden and my family as surprised to see the whites of my eyes. All most overnight my life started alighing with positive energy with the decision to turn my life over to God. The level of peace was astonding. For a long time I slept too good. Almost to much because I wasn't used to my head being free from chemicals or regrets. Now everything wasn't great, I still had heaps of wreckage to sift through but the direction was finally right. Slowly and surely I built one positive thing afteranother. Today I feel like without the help of God I could have never done it, but now I feel like I don't ever want to go back... FREEDOM!
Jimbo
Co-Founder of P.P.R.
February 2014
Tis' the month for love. Happy Valentines's Day to everyone. And let us not forget that this month we salute all of our Presidents with a day just for them. February 17th. May love and honor be this month's theme.
As we hope for the best this month let us keep in mind that a non-viotent society is a community responsibility. Many skills of conflict resoution and community cooperation are availaable in the Alterntive to Violence Programs (AVP). Link to the website at AVPusa.org. May we all be safe.
Suicide is an epidemic in this country. If you or anyone you know is in distress please find help before it's too late. 1-800-272-TALK (8255) is the National Sucide Prevention Lifeline.
Jimbo
Co-Founder of P.P.R.
Here at P.P.R. we a re dedicated to recovery. Ther eare many ways recovery can be achieved for me, Jimbo, the twelve steps of Alcholics Anonymous (A>S. have transformed my life from defeat to victory. So every month P.P.R. will feature the step that correlates with the month. For instance, this is the second month so the second step is featured.
Step Two: We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
I love this step becase for the first time I didn't feel alone. Defeating my addiction proved impossible and I was steadily getting worse on my own. So when I was introduced to the idea of a power greater than myself, suddenly I wasn't alone. I developed a higher self or an inner voice that I would talk too. i know I sound crazy but it was better for everyone around me that I was talking to myself instead of stealing and fighting. It was a better side of crazy. I don't know how many times I said, "I can't handle this, I'm letting it go." It was amazing how many fights were resolved. Come to find out, most of the time, I was the one excalating the conflicts. This is a revelation to an addict who is always in the victim's role. This was my return to sanity or I should say the beginning of my return to sanity.
For more information about .A.A. write:
A.A. General Service Office
Box 459, Grand Central Sttion
New York, NY 10163
January 2014
Happy New Year!
Let us celebrate another year of family and friends as we start 2014. This month also host Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the 20th. Let us welcome the New Year with equality and dignity for all our fellow man, no matter their race, color or creed. Happy NewYear!
As we hope for the best this year, let us keep in mind that a non-violent society is a community responsibility. Many skills of conflict resolution and community cooperation are available in the Alternative to Violence Programs(AVP) Link the website at AVPUSA.org. May we all be safe.
I am sad to say this month is also the one year anniversary of the day my cousin took his own life. It is a good reminder to all of us thqt suicide touches all of us n one way or another is is a very serious problem throughout South Dakota and the United States. Thereare many warning signs that include depression or drug abuse, to name a few. There is help, 1-800-272-TALK(8255) is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. We miss you Caleb...
Jimbo
Here at P.P.R. we are dedicated to recovery. There are many ways recovery can be achieved. For me Jimbo, the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) have transformed my life from defeat to victory. So every month P.P.R. will feature the s tep that correlates with the month. For instance, this is the fist month so the first step is featured.
Step One: We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.
This step seems silly and even unnecessary because of the obvious problems most addicts experience. However, denial is the first hurdle and this is it, Step one. Once I became honest with myself, the rest seeemed to fall into place. I began to experience integrity through holding myself to positive standards which was impossible when I was deceiving everyone around me including myself. I said many things like, "my problem is cocaine not alcohol" or "I can handle a little on the weekends". These self-manipulating techniques were my common savotage of myself.
This is the reason A.A. meetings start with , "I'm Jimbo, alcoholic." Immediately we destroy any sense of deception within the meeting by admission. There is also a sense of acceptance as we are now surrounded with others that have the same issues. This also leads to honewty as we have a more difficult thime lying to people that have lied, st orle, and cheated to get their fixes also. For me, liberation started at Step one.
Jimbo
For more information about A.A. write:
A.A. General Service Office
Box 459, Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163
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December 2013
Merry Christmas and Happy NewYear from Prisoners for Prevention and Recovery. We find family paramount at P.P.R. and with everyone a warm and safe holiday season with friends and family.
P.P.R. recognizes the epidemic, especially during the holidays of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The prison is full of prisoners who accidentally took others lives due to dringin impaired. Unfortunately such an event tears apart bot only the victim;s family and the offenders as well. Nothing good comes of such accidents. Please be safe.
I've gained a small portion of wisdom during twelve years in prison. Specifically, my skills in conflict resolution have grown. I know that a no-violent environment is a community responsibility. What we san and do impacts all our neighbors- even languages can be violent. Many von-violent skills are hard to learn. Many of my skills, some I didn't know I possed, were developed in the Alternatives to Violence Project(AVP). Look us up at AVPUSA. org. A non-violent environment is right of every living being..
We would like to share with you the newsletter that was written by Pastor Marlin Wangness of St. Dysmas of South Dakota, he was the pastor that served with the ministry in the Sioux Falls, priosn ministry. He will be leaving shortly to pursue a new change in his life. We would like to thank him for all the time and work he gave to his ministry there. The Lord will truely bless him for his faithfullness.
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November 2013
" Dear Friends in Christ,
Some things never change. It seems that there is always summer heat in South Dakota. That is good...it makes the corn and beans grow and provides the rich pasture for the livestock. The heat can also be oppressive at times. There are few air conditioned areas in the prison that a re available to inmates. Even the chapel, which is normally air conditioned, experienced a heat wave when the S.C. didn't work in mid-July. If you wa nt to experience oppressive heat, go up on the fifth tier of the cells, Whew....!!!! But the heat is to be expected. It is a part of life that is simply to be expected because it doesn't change.
Some things do change, however. People do change. They change for the better only when they are given a better alterative. The Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, is that kind of message which can change a person's life. The reason that I'm thinking along these lines is because of two comments recently made to me by immates.
The context of the comments is that St Dysmas will be going through change in the coming months. I will retire later this fall and a new person will be taking over as pastor of St. Dysmas. This will be a change. Yet, as he church of Jesus Christ, some things should not change.
The first of the comments came at a meeting of the Inside Church Council when one of the men said that he originally started attending St. Dysmas because it was a place where grace was heard. It was not a place of judgement but of forgiveness and acceptance. The invitation of Jesus is pretty clear; "Come unto me all you are heavy laden and I will ive you rest." The burdens of our pastscan be pretty heavy, but grace, forgiveness and acceptance can give us a rest that brings about new appreciation for what God has done and is doing.
The second comment was made by an immate that has been with St. Dysmas since before I became the pastor. He remarked that, in his opinion, the culture of St. Dysmas has changed in the last five years. it has become more a place of fellowship and mutual caring than it was before. To him, looking back, the difference has been noticeable.
Once, at an Inside Council meeting, I said that if we are going to be a church that preaches grace, we have to find a way to be a grace-full church. We must be a church that acts in grace-filled ways. As Christ's church in this place, we must always be a place of welcome where we hear again and again of a God who loves us beyond measure and then sends us out to be the agents of that love and grace to the world around us.
The weather patterns in SD may not change season to season. But people do when they hear a clear message of grace and then that grace leaks out into their relationships with one another.
Thank you so much for supporting a ministry that affects the lives of men in such a vital way! Thanks you for continuing to support St. Dysmas as this ministry of grace goes forward under new leadership. Things may change, but God, his love and grace, never does. Thanks be to God!
In Christ Pastor Marlin Wangness
St. Dysmas of South Dakota
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October 2013
Here at P.P.R. we are dedicated to recovery. There are many ways recovery can be achieved. For me, Jimbo, the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymoous (AA). have transformed my life from defeat to victory. So every month P.P.R. will feature the step that correlates with the month. For instance, this is the 10th month so the 10th step is featured.
Step 10: "We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promply admitted it."
For me this step is one of the most important for my daily life. This is because step 1 instructs us to be aware of what we are doing right now. If I do not take not of my actions then, as l've learned before, they spiral out of control before I know it.
Promply admitting our wrongs is vital too. I find that regrets build into strong feelings that impact my personal relationships on every level. In the past, these were the reasons I abused drugs and alcohol. Being honest about our wrongs is not only healthy but establishes credibility in our relationships. For me my family and friends were used to my lies about drugs and alcohol. So if they are to believe me to be health honest ins key.
Stay healthy.
Jimbo
Co-Founder of P.P.R.
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October 2013
Happy Halloween! Autumn is here and we are closing in on P.P.R.'s two year anniversary. We ae working hard on developing all the aspects of the P.P.R. outreach. Healthy people, healthly families, healthy community.
Let us not forget about Columbus Day and Native American Day on Octover 14th. May be celebrate the foundation of America and not forget about the massacre at Wounded Knee with our family and friends.
Now is the time to dedicate ourselves to non-violent communities. Intrigual skills of conflict resolution are explored in the Alternativs to Violence Project (AVP) First developed in New York Prisons, this program has transformed my life from ignorance to enlightenment. I really didn't realize how damaging my behaviors were to others. This program is a must for those dedicated to peace or in recovery. Look this program up at AVPUSA.org.
And for those in more immediate crisis 1-800273-TALK(8255) is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
For free A.A. literature write: AA General Service Office
Box 459, Grand Central Station
NewYork, NY. 10163
Sincerely, Jimbo
Co-Founder of P.P.R.
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August 2013
Here at P.P.R. we are dedicated to recovery. There are many ways recovery can be achieved. For me, Jimbo, the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has transformed my life from defeat to victory. So every month P.P.R. will feature the step correlates with the month. For instance, this is the eighth month so the eighth step is featured.
Step 8: Make a list of all persons we have harmed, and become willing to make amends to them all.
This is the first step that brings other people into the healing process. Up till now the steps have focused on building a foundation to help stay sober. But is sobriety enough if our life still remains a wreck and continues in negative cycles. The eighth step really focuses on our quality of life with other people.
For me admitting I was wrong to people I hurt began a deeper level of trust. My mom used to listen to me talk about changing my ways every time I got in trouble using or drinking. It wasn't until I showed her I waschanging my ways did our relationship begin healing.
Jimbo
For free A.A. literature write:
A.A. General Service Office
Box 459, Grand Central Station
NewYork, NY. 10163
Here at P.P.R. we are dedicated to recovery. There are many ways recovery can be achieved. For me, Jimbo, the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has transformed my life from defeat to victory. So every month P.P.R. will feature the step correlates with the month. For instance, this is the eighth month so the eighth step is featured.
Step 8: Make a list of all persons we have harmed, and become willing to make amends to them all.
This is the first step that brings other people into the healing process. Up till now the steps have focused on building a foundation to help stay sober. But is sobriety enough if our life still remains a wreck and continues in negative cycles. The eighth step really focuses on our quality of life with other people.
For me admitting I was wrong to people I hurt began a deeper level of trust. My mom used to listen to me talk about changing my ways every time I got in trouble using or drinking. It wasn't until I showed her I waschanging my ways did our relationship begin healing.
Jimbo
For free A.A. literature write:
A.A. General Service Office
Box 459, Grand Central Station
NewYork, NY. 10163
July 2013
Summer 2013 and P.P.R. is still gowing. We are happy toadd a twelve step study by one of our founders, Jimbo. We hope that anyne that is suffering from the disease of addiction finds recovery. Drugs, alcohol, and many other addictions plague our communities and destroy our most cherished asset, family. P.P.R. vovws to reach out to anyone who wishes to find relief.
P.P.R. would like to honor Pastor Fred at The Center of Hope in Sioux FAlls, SD. Pastor Fred is an amazing asset to the community. There is rarely such an example of selflessness as Pastor Fred. So thank you for all you do from P.P.R. Pastor!
We are developing rapidly here at P.P.R. We hope to expand soon into an interactive forum instead of the blog. We are also developing prisoner crafts for funds raisers. And don't forget, P.P.R. turns two in November!
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK(8255)
AVPUSA.org; Violence is a community responsibility.
June 2013
Since June 16th is Fathers Day. I thought it would be important to focus on some stuff about dads. Especially as men. We identify more with our Dad's. I know for me, I am more like my Dad. When I look at my dad I see exactly who I want to be. He is the most Godly, honest, hardworking, driven, family orientd person I know. If I would have listened to just half the things he tried to teach me.. I wouldn't be in prison today. Now my goal is to teach these things to my son. I want him to learn from my mistakes. Somebody told me one time when I was in some trouble that "any idiot can be someone's father, but it takes a real man to be a dad." I want to be a good dad. Even though I am in prison I want my son to be able to say that he is proud of his daddy. That's one of the reasons I believe you should never have the attitude that says "I'm chagned". Instead, "I am changing". You should never be done trying to better yourself. You can always do better. I can always do better by my son. I can always do more for him and to better our relationship. Don't have the attitude of good enough.
I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to my daddy for being as awesome as he is. You have always been there for me. You are always there for my son now when I can't be. You do so much for our family and everyone around you. All those behind the scenes things that people don't notice, but that keep everything running somoothly. You don't get near as much credit as you deserve, and I know that doesn't matter to you. But, I want you to know how much I appreciate and admire you. I love you dad aand I hope one day I can become even half the man you are. Thank You.
Jon Rogness, co-founder of PPR
P.P.R looks forward to a great summer. We have been together for a year and a half and have yet to meet our true potential. We are growing strong with community leaders like Face It Together, Sioux FAlls. PPR hopes to develope strong ties to the community through healthly values like realiability and work ethic. These community skills are universal from individuals to entire contries and are paramount to anyone in recovery.
P.P.R. would also like to remind everyone that June 16th is Father's Day. Here at P.P.R our fathers are the cornerstones of our strenght. So Happy Fathers Day, Jim Sr. and Phil. And thank you for being the example of perserverance and hard work. And to all fathers out there that give everything to family like our fathers, Happy Fathers Day.
P.P.R. also recognizes our growing violence problem as a community responsibility. We are happy to present the Alternatives to Violence Program to anyone who is interested in learning how they can reduce violence within themselves and the community AVPUSA.org is the roadmap to being involved.
And for anyone who may be comtemplating suicide or know anyone in crisis call 1-800-273-TALK. This the National Susicude Prevention Lifeline and it is open 24/7.
Again from P.P.R., have a Happy Fathers Day and have a great summer.
Sincerely,
Jimbo, co-founder of PPR
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Since June 16th is Fathers Day. I thought it would be important to focus on some stuff about dads. Especially as men. We identify more with our Dad's. I know for me, I am more like my Dad. When I look at my dad I see exactly who I want to be. He is the most Godly, honest, hardworking, driven, family orientd person I know. If I would have listened to just half the things he tried to teach me.. I wouldn't be in prison today. Now my goal is to teach these things to my son. I want him to learn from my mistakes. Somebody told me one time when I was in some trouble that "any idiot can be someone's father, but it takes a real man to be a dad." I want to be a good dad. Even though I am in prison I want my son to be able to say that he is proud of his daddy. That's one of the reasons I believe you should never have the attitude that says "I'm chagned". Instead, "I am changing". You should never be done trying to better yourself. You can always do better. I can always do better by my son. I can always do more for him and to better our relationship. Don't have the attitude of good enough.
I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to my daddy for being as awesome as he is. You have always been there for me. You are always there for my son now when I can't be. You do so much for our family and everyone around you. All those behind the scenes things that people don't notice, but that keep everything running somoothly. You don't get near as much credit as you deserve, and I know that doesn't matter to you. But, I want you to know how much I appreciate and admire you. I love you dad aand I hope one day I can become even half the man you are. Thank You.
Jon Rogness, co-founder of PPR
P.P.R looks forward to a great summer. We have been together for a year and a half and have yet to meet our true potential. We are growing strong with community leaders like Face It Together, Sioux FAlls. PPR hopes to develope strong ties to the community through healthly values like realiability and work ethic. These community skills are universal from individuals to entire contries and are paramount to anyone in recovery.
P.P.R. would also like to remind everyone that June 16th is Father's Day. Here at P.P.R our fathers are the cornerstones of our strenght. So Happy Fathers Day, Jim Sr. and Phil. And thank you for being the example of perserverance and hard work. And to all fathers out there that give everything to family like our fathers, Happy Fathers Day.
P.P.R. also recognizes our growing violence problem as a community responsibility. We are happy to present the Alternatives to Violence Program to anyone who is interested in learning how they can reduce violence within themselves and the community AVPUSA.org is the roadmap to being involved.
And for anyone who may be comtemplating suicide or know anyone in crisis call 1-800-273-TALK. This the National Susicude Prevention Lifeline and it is open 24/7.
Again from P.P.R., have a Happy Fathers Day and have a great summer.
Sincerely,
Jimbo, co-founder of PPR
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May 2013
Happy Mothers Day! To all the moms out there. We hope you get to take sometime for yourselves and have a special day. They should give you a whole month of rest. PPR wouldn't even be able to operate without our Mothers, Collen and Maggie. Thank You for all you do for us and everyone else around you. We love you.
PPR would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the bombings in Boston as well as those in West Texas. We keep you in our prayers and incourage everyone else to do the same. Someone made a good point witht he Boston bombings. It's obviously easy to be mad at those men who did this terrible act. But it is important to pray for them also. Not, easy, but important. Luke 6:27-28, 31"But I tell you who hear me: love yor enemies, do good to those who hate you. bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." " Do to others as you would have them do to you." (The Word of God)
Also, use those tragedies as a reminder to yourself that life is pricious and can be take at anytime. Violence reaches well past the physical injuries, into the emotional and mental aspects.
We would like to extend our thanks to the Fathergood program that is put her inside the walls. Lutheran Social Services brings it here to us free of charge.This is an awesome program/class that foucuses on how to be the best dad you can be inside and out. It is important to keep the bonds with our children strong. For information on the program visit www.fatherhood.org or www.PREPinc.com. or www. FATHERS.com Lutheran Social Services 705 East 41st Suite 100 Sioux Falls, SD. 57105
We would like to introduce to you our newest member of P.P.R. His name is Robert Johnson. We are happy and proud to have him be a part of the P.P.R. family. He is a very humbe guy and very much a man of his convictions. He makes no excuses and takes the blame for his own actions. Hopefully you will find something to relate to in his story.
Sincerely,
Jon Rogness/co- founder of P.P.R.
P.P.R. is a continualy dedicated to sobriety as an integral part of a healthy community. The wide spread sickness that drugs and alcohol have on our communities is an epidemic. Drugs and alcohol have deceptively strong energies that can lead to anxiety, depression, and many other disabling symptoms. If left untreated such poisonous roots can lead into violence, suicide, prison, or even death. P.P.R. is active in recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonyous.
For a professional level of guidence, face it together is a rich network of support services:
South Dakota Number: 605-274-2262 or 1-855-4-FACE-IT.
For a professional level of guidence, face it together is a rich network of support services:
South Dakota Number: 605-274-2262 or 1-855-4-FACE-IT.
P.P.R. encourages anyone who has immediate crisis that is considering suicide to call 1-800-273-TALK. This is a toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
P.P.R. is active in progressive levels of education within the community to prevent Violence. Visit AVPUSA.org to connect on a person level with the Alternatives to Violence Program..
Sincerely,
Jimbo, co-founder of P.P.R.
*********************************************************************************
April 2013
Another month in the right direction for P.P.R. We have established a few new connections which support the growth of P.P.R.'s outreach. And more prisoners testimony is being generated, please bear with us, we are still experiencing growing pains.
First of all, P.P.R. has found a representitive who will take our message into the community. We would like to welcome Cody Desersa to the P.P.R. family. Cody is a true example of victory against all odds. His messageof overcoming insurmountable odds will be available soon on the P.P.R. blog and hopefully in person in the near future as cody is scheduled for release from prison! Look for his story soon.
Second, I have personally met with Pastor Fred from thecenter of Hope here in Sioux Falls. Pastor Fred has similar goals to P.P.R. and his is currently reaching out from the center of Hope Church. Pastor Fred is a truly inspirational man who is traveling in the same community drection as P.P.R. We hope to build a long-term relationship with Pastor Fred as he is a health pilar of the community.
I would like to add that we had a great AVP(Alternatives to Violence Program; AVPUSA.org weekend here at the prison. A non-violent community starts with healthy individuals and families. God bless the people that volunteer their thime to cme into the prison to help us men with violence issues.
Live Well,
Jimbo (Co-Founder of P.P.R.)
**********************************************************************************
March 2013
Prisoners for Prevention and Recovery is proud to have over one year, up and running. We are working hard, trying to reach out in anyway that might help. P.P. R. would like to give special thanks to Jason Rogness, Brent Rogness , Crysten Rogness for website design and Colleen Rogness for her hard work updating the upsite. Jon a nd I cannot do any of our outreach missions without the outside support and dedication of these truly generous people. Thank You!
This last month has been great. We have even more beautiful poetry and testimony from the prison by men who are making a differance even behind bars. If you enjoy anything you read at P.P.R. please comment and share with us.. And also send any poetry, stories, or artwork to Colleen Rogness with you would like it on our sight. ( We do review each article that will be put on the sight) Hopefully we'll get so much from outside these walls that we'll have to open a new section of P.P.R. for our brother and sisters who are free!
As always, we are constantly struggling no matter how healthy our lives may have become here at P.P.R. I am sad to say tht my cousin has took his own life at the start of this year. I want everyone to know that he was young, under eighteen years of age. This tragedy is the very reason why Jon and I started P.P.R. We know how dismal things may look because we have lived through the hardest of times, even prison time, and have luckily escaped with our lives by the grace of God. If you or anyone you is on the brink of such calamity PLEASE connect with P.P.R. or call 1-800-273-8255 if your in South Dakota. The number is a suicide prevention hot line.
I am beyond lucky to be able to reach out and share with you. Stay healthy and help defeat the slavery that drug and alcohol have on our society. There isan epidemic sweeping the society and its taking our families apartt through suicide, amongst other things. So stay good.
Sincerely, Jimbo(co-founder, P.P.R.)
February 2013
Hello again from everyone at P.P.R. We have been up and running for one year. Last year we had some "bugs" to work out as any organizations do. We are pleased to say that this year is going to be great because we have grown here at P.P.R. and we are hoping to cotinue to grow in a positive direction.
One of P.P.R.'s newest connection us with Scott McWilliams, Executive Direction of a non-profit organization called The Freeform Radio Initiative. This program is on part 934.com and features incarcerated individuals in one of the many shows on the radio program. Letters from myself, and many other associates P.P.R. are writing in to the Freeform Radio lnitiative and we encourage you to listen.
Another point of impact at P.P.R. that we trying to develope is a connection with commnity. We are concerned about healthy families and the prevention of the deterioration of sociey. If you are caught between circumstances of little hope and no one understands please write Jon or Jimbo at the address on the About Us page in this blog, or if you're just someone who wants to rant, rave, volunteer, or anything we would love to hear from you.
Sincerely, Jimbo (Co-Founder, P.P.R.)
Prisoners for Prevention and Recovery is proud to have over one year, up and running. We are working hard, trying to reach out in anyway that might help. P.P. R. would like to give special thanks to Jason Rogness, Brent Rogness , Crysten Rogness for website design and Colleen Rogness for her hard work updating the upsite. Jon a nd I cannot do any of our outreach missions without the outside support and dedication of these truly generous people. Thank You!
This last month has been great. We have even more beautiful poetry and testimony from the prison by men who are making a differance even behind bars. If you enjoy anything you read at P.P.R. please comment and share with us.. And also send any poetry, stories, or artwork to Colleen Rogness with you would like it on our sight. ( We do review each article that will be put on the sight) Hopefully we'll get so much from outside these walls that we'll have to open a new section of P.P.R. for our brother and sisters who are free!
As always, we are constantly struggling no matter how healthy our lives may have become here at P.P.R. I am sad to say tht my cousin has took his own life at the start of this year. I want everyone to know that he was young, under eighteen years of age. This tragedy is the very reason why Jon and I started P.P.R. We know how dismal things may look because we have lived through the hardest of times, even prison time, and have luckily escaped with our lives by the grace of God. If you or anyone you is on the brink of such calamity PLEASE connect with P.P.R. or call 1-800-273-8255 if your in South Dakota. The number is a suicide prevention hot line.
I am beyond lucky to be able to reach out and share with you. Stay healthy and help defeat the slavery that drug and alcohol have on our society. There isan epidemic sweeping the society and its taking our families apartt through suicide, amongst other things. So stay good.
Sincerely, Jimbo(co-founder, P.P.R.)
February 2013
Hello again from everyone at P.P.R. We have been up and running for one year. Last year we had some "bugs" to work out as any organizations do. We are pleased to say that this year is going to be great because we have grown here at P.P.R. and we are hoping to cotinue to grow in a positive direction.
One of P.P.R.'s newest connection us with Scott McWilliams, Executive Direction of a non-profit organization called The Freeform Radio Initiative. This program is on part 934.com and features incarcerated individuals in one of the many shows on the radio program. Letters from myself, and many other associates P.P.R. are writing in to the Freeform Radio lnitiative and we encourage you to listen.
Another point of impact at P.P.R. that we trying to develope is a connection with commnity. We are concerned about healthy families and the prevention of the deterioration of sociey. If you are caught between circumstances of little hope and no one understands please write Jon or Jimbo at the address on the About Us page in this blog, or if you're just someone who wants to rant, rave, volunteer, or anything we would love to hear from you.
Sincerely, Jimbo (Co-Founder, P.P.R.)
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