a reflective journal about social action from JustDane
“We couldn’t do our job without outstanding volunteers. I go back to one in particular: Tom Franke. He’s been one of those people that, if I needed a volunteer, I would call him up. He could be asleep, but he'd wake up and come on over to meet me at the prison. Tom just brings a whole new dimension to volunteering. It’s not an obligation for him, it’s a passion.” -John Givens, Circles of Support Coordinator
CHANGEMAKERS TOGETHER BY LINDA KETCHAM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
It was 23 years ago that I attended the first “Returning Prisoner Simulation.” It was my introduction to JustDane, then known as Madison-area Urban Ministry (MUM). The event was huge. Over 150 people attended, they were short of volunteers to staff tables, and so I was invited to fill the role of a “parole officer.” Over the next year, I would become a regular volunteer for another new initiative called Family Connections. We took children to visit their moms at Taycheedah prison, and I got to know Sister Esther Heffernan, a strong advocate for justice who used her charm and cunning to persuade the warden to allow us into the prison. Esther served for many years as a Family and Reading Connections volunteer and as a member of our Board.
JUST THE FACTS Volunteer Applications in 2021: 104 Total Number of Volunteers: 345 Total Service Hours in 2021: 4409 Youngest Volunteer: 19 years old Oldest Volunteer: 93 years young Initiative with Most Volunteers: Circles of Support Join us as a JustDane volunteer today! Contact Lara Miller at lara@justdane.org. Winter 2022