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Hope On The Other Side

Friends,

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for us at Second Chance Outreach. We have been blessed so much these last few months, and all of you play a big role in what we do for those who are marginalized and feel forgotten.

Years ago I read a book while I was incarcerated by Shaka Senghore called “Writing My Wrongs.” It was one of the most inspirational books I had read. In the book he says, “I'm a human being who grew up in some unfortunate circumstances and made some poor decisions. I refuse to allow that to define me for the rest of my life. I just refuse to allow that to dictate what I can and cannot do.” His words truly inspire me to continue to go strong in building this organization. In the midst of fear and anxiety and not knowing where I would be I decided to lay down my wants and needs and trust that God had a plan for us a Second Chance Outreach. In Romans 15:13 Paul said,

”May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.“

So as I continue to grow in faith, strength and hope I will always feel blessed to share with you our works and where hope is being placed and growing. Like Shaka Senghor says, ”One of the greatest gifts you can give another human being who is going through adversity is HOPE.”

Last month I stated I'd bring you a letter from Jorge, but circumstances changed that; we'll hear his story in the future. With that being said, today I want to introduce you to Andres "Puppet," who shares his story of resiliency. Puppet and I spent time together in prison. He was released in 2015. Many of the gang affected inmates we work with will be released into and required to stay in communities they don't know until their DOC supervision period ends. The result can be social isolation driving feelings of being out of place and forgotten. Some of these men, including Puppet, will be deported to countries that are unfamiliar to them. Over the years we have been doing as much as possible to help Puppet as he helps others get their footing as new deportees to Mexico. I had the privilege of meeting his wife and kids and seeing him outside the prison walls, and am thankful for his willingness to share part of this story with us.

In addition to reading Puppet's story, I would like to ask you to please pray for one of our board members, David "Pee Wee" Garcia. Recently David's mother passed away, so I ask for your prayers that God will bring him comfort during his time of grief and give him that peace that only God can bring.

Thank you again for your support and engagement. It keeps us going to know that so many people care about the work we are doing and help as they are able. Many God bless you and keep you this month and always.

Sincerely,
Neaners

Introducing Andres "Puppet" Flores
SCO Partner in Mexico

Hi my name is Andres Flores. I’m an international partner to the Hope For Homies project. I’m now going on 5 yrs living in Mexico. I’m originally from Tijuana where I currently live. My whole experience has been challenging learning how to adapt to a country I’m not familiar with. After being released from WSP Washington state penitentiary I had the most unforgettable bus ride across WA arriving to the north west detention center I realized I was getting a one way ticket to Mexico. Mentally I was getting prepared for what was to come. It can be worrisome going to a country where you hear on the news about cartels and stuff but luckily in my case I had my family waiting for me.

I’ve met people here who aren’t so privileged to have family to go to, making it that much harder to adapt. My feelings at first were frustration being in a place where I felt like an outsider; I’d always be complaining about how things were here. By the grace of God I got a job in a call center where I met more people like me who felt the same way. some didn’t share their feelings but one thing we all agreed on is we missed the place we called home.

In the beginning it was challenging not knowing the city. I would leave for work 2 hrs early since I had a tendency to get lost. That way in any case I did get lost I’d have time to find my way back. First months were the longest. My schedule didn’t help much (it was from 2-10 pm). By the time I’d get home it was lights out, wake up, and back to work. Finally I managed to save some money and with some help from Neaners I was able to buy a car. That helped me in many ways not only to get to work and home faster but I was able to get stuff done around the house or take my mom grocery shopping. A car is a necessity here, but not everyone is able to save up to get one.The privilege of having a car allowed us to go grocery shopping and get to appointments. You can’t treat your self on regular because the pay is not enough. We get paid about $100 USD for a weeks work.

That first year in Tijuana I met my other half. She worked in the same place as I did so I didn’t have to use too much of my Spanish. Later she would correct me to speak proper. She was a main reason I adapted easily. She would show me around places to go or maybe places we hear about but she would always be at my side. I no longer felt like an outsider and the home sickness started fading away. I think she was that one person who would put me on the right path.

We moved in together. At first you can say we started with nothing but the clothes we had and a bed that was passed down by one of my brothers. I think we grew so much me being disconnected with society for a long time, everything was so new to me. Even though we didn’t have anything we kept up motivation to make a home together. We were able to buy a stove and a couch. We were also given an old tv which we used a bucket to keep it off the floor. Slowly things were coming together. Since we didn’t have a fridge we used an ice chest but we wouldn’t buy much food because we didn’t want it to go bad, eventually I was able to get a fridge on credit. Once that happen we felt like we had everything we needed. We have 2 kids now and even though it’s not easy we try our best to give them the most.

Now knowing how things are I try helping those friends/ homies I met while I was incarcerated well those who would be coming to Mexico. I message them through jpay or talked to people who were in contact. There is not much I can do but I think seeing a familiar face or just having someone who can guide in an unknown world does help. I got the first homie into the same call center I was at. He was doing real good. He had a great head on his shoulders. Unfortunately he had a part time job as an Uber driver and on his second day he was robbed and killed.

The second homie also applied where I work, however since he was not computer savvy he was not given the job. I would tell him I could take him to an internet shop so he can practice using a computer but he wasn’t too sure about it, so I got him a job with my father in law at a car wash. He liked it. He was making some income, then he relapsed and started using drugs. That was hard because I had my kids in the same house so I had to ask him to leave. I told him he could stay the month while he could find somewhere or get in contact with some family members he had in the south somewhere in Morelos. During that same time, my dad had a heart attack and passed away. Twelve days later we had to gather funds to pay for the funeral services. At home I had a friend who was getting deeper into drugs to a point where he would think I hacked his phone. One night he broke my windows. My girl was scared and moved with her grandma until I had time to talk to him. I told him he should go to rehab but he just moved out and started living out in the streets. It’s hard to see someone you know go through that and not able help out and pay so he could go to rehab to get help.

I can understand you can feel alone sometimes and I think that’s why some try to hide in a temporary high than rather go through the struggle. I learned to embrace what I am called here "a cholo"(gangster) what they call me sometimes but I always make it a joke, having a different style. Me and some friends started a screen printing t-shirt business. We created a logo for the locals in Tijuana the city which is giving a second opportunity. We wish to focus on more than being local. We actually shipped some shirts to WA and GA. People supported our brand and bought some shirts that felt great. With the whole COVID-19 we're unable to do much, but we are brain storming new ideas and one of them was to help out homies who are still incarcerated and might want to take part by doing some drawings we can print on shirts and sell them. That way they can have some income and know that their art is appreciated by others.

Puppet is continuing to live the best life he can with his family and also help out homies who suddenly find themselves in Tijuana, Mexico. We are grateful for Puppet's partnership, his heart to help people in need, and his ability to guide homies through the re-entry process in Mexico. God knows no borders; He just extends his grace and love to all of his children and asks us to do the same.

Hope for Homies Farm

The farm continues to move along, producing so much that we are able to donate a portion to Family Promise of Skagit Valley, homies that need it, and guests that come to the farm. It is connecting us to new partners and producing so many friendships as well. We want to thank everyone who has volunteered and especially Milltown Gardens for partnering with us and seeing the need in our community with food and friendships.

Thank you so much Miss Jodie; you have blessed us so much.

We want to continue to pray for everyone in prison faced with the fear of getting COVID19. We also ask you to keep our kids and parents in prayer as we figure out how to start the school year from home.

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