Continuing the Momentum: Supporting Men in Transition at the Men’s Center
– © 2005 by Bobby Schauerhamer, 2nd term board member

I had the pleasure of accompanying Hank Bruns and Tommy Jones in representing the Men’s Center at the recent “Transitions Roundtable - A focus on fatherhood after incarceration.” This was sponsored by the Minnesota Fathers and Families network and was supported by the Otto Bremer Foundation. St. John’s University in Collegeville hosted this event on Wednesday, June 29, 2005. It provided a few of us with a tranquil retreat from the pace of the Uptown neighborhood.

Neil Tift, a name familiar to many of us at the Men’ Center, moderated much of the conference. This was a highly interactive workshop and Neil supplied his usual magic of drawing in audience participation.

Networking with other organizations was an incorporated into the schedule of the day. We were able to describe some of the services that we offer at the Men’s Center which are directed at a population of men transitioning from incarceration. Hank was introduced as the facilitator of the Men’s Center transitions support group and said a few words about that experience. Tommy Jones was announced as the facilitator for the Addition Busters group. We all carried armloads of literature from the Men’s Center into the conference for sharing with other organizations.

I was somewhat surprised by the extent of my role at the workshop in as much as I had been volunteered to be on a panel of fathers presenting in the late morning. This experience seems common for those of us who volunteer at the Men’s Center. Fortunately, I am one who rarely has a shortage of things to say. Tommy and Hank were ready to guide and edit my commentary with sign language and a large hook. I received some unanticipated affirmations in the form of positive comments on content, general congratulations, and being quoted during the remainder of the conference.

Some of the main issues of focus at this roundtable conference were determined by the priorities of the participants that included:
1. The impact of family violence on issues related to incarceration;
2. Striving for more education in the community regarding the normalcy of men released from incarceration;
3. Community and networking regarding men released from incarceration;
4. Department of Correction would like to have the availability of more parenting classes; and
5. Apprenticeship opportunities for men released from incarceration in the community as supplied by the Department of Labor

The afternoon consisted of small groups working on issues related to education, connection and collaboration. These groups then gave their reports to the entire conference. This roundtable conference ended with each participant formulating an Individual Commitment to Act regarding the topics that had been discussed. We were to describe how we might take this information back to our agencies and find ways in which we could implement goals consistent with the needs identified at the conference and the mission of our organizations.

The Men’s Center continues to provide men transitioning from incarceration with support in areas that may be difficult to find, especially in a manner similar to ours. We see peer support as being an important link on a continuum of services needed by men who are re-entering community life.

One purpose in drafting this article is to explain the participation of three Men’s Center volunteers at this recent conference. Another purpose is to invite some feedback from the Men’s Center members at large regarding my Individual Commitment to Act formulated at the end of the conference.

I see a high need for men who remain incarcerated, but are scheduled to be released within the next year or so, to establish positive community contacts. Much can be done in advance of release in strides toward completion of the difficult tasks of finding employment, housing and general supports, while still incarcerated. I would very much like to see some members and the board of the Men’s Center support the establishment of “community advocates” for incarcerated men. These would basically be members of the Men’s Center who would agree to write to men who are incarcerated and assist them in finding the supports they need for their transition. Your comments and feedback are most welcomed.

Bobby Schauerhamer is a 2nd term board member, co-facilitator of the Healthy Sexual Boundaries support group, and a previous contributor to Men Talk.

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GLBT PRIDE BOOTH 2005
– © 2005 by Jerry Olson

The Pride Festival, June 25 and 26, 2005

310,000 in Attendance! The Pride Festival booth is our largest GLBT outreach of the year. Its success is largely measured by numbers of Men Talk/brochures handed out and later on increase in our support group’s attendance. The Hometown/Neighborhood signings have taken on a life of their own by people now wanting to sign their names as well as their hometowns. The ribbons are strategically hung so that current metro residents will be signing near our display materials. This year signings numbered 397. Many are last year’s signers bringing friends along for the experience. Ribbon’s Titles consist of International, Out State (MN), Out of State, Regional States, Metro, MPLS, and St. Paul. Total breakdown is available upon request.

BOOTH ATTENDEES: All attendants had access to “Skill with People” hints before greeting festival visitors. New This Year – booth attendants wearing name tags with first names resulted in festival visitors trusting faster with a closer bonding in which we have such a short time with. Ten Men’s Center members covered booth assignments, which included drop-in help. I want to personally thank the following people for spreading the Men’s Center message in 2005: Ranslow Z, Steve N, Mike M, Paul P, John R, Mike C, Don J, Andy M, Bobby S, Randy G and Richard E. THANKS!!! Also, Steve L for setting up a schedule.

We want your feedback: Men's Center phone: (612) 822-5892, e-mail us