One Parish One Prisoner:
meadow springs pres
Hi team. We’re in process Meadow Springs Pres. Here’s what’s going on.
Alissa is at Yakima County now, awaiting sentencing for federal charges—scheduled for early June. After that, she’ll likely be sent back to WCCW in Gig Harbor and will resume incarceration. That’s where our relationship begins with her, starting with letters.
Here are the essential documents to keep close as your team moves forward:
Some Key Points to keep in mind…
Keep Alissa’s identity/story/privacy safe. Keep all details, letter contents, etc. within the team. Only share her first name and that she’s up for more sentencing with the congregation.
Work together. Letters in and out are fair game to share within the team, unless specifically stated otherwise.
Don’t rush into or expect immediate comfort/intimacy; let’s enjoy the long journey together.
Do NOT Google Alissa’s name or charges or history. This is not an avenue toward mutual relationship, respect, or trust. Even if she asks you to do so, or gives you permission, please don’t do this. There’s a time for this conversation down the road.
This is Alissa’s address while at Yakima County, until sentencing on June 9.
Alissa Melendez-Vega #21J-02962
Yakima County Department of Corrections
111 N Front Street
Yakima, WA 98901
Hi, my name is Alissa. I'm a 40 year old woman, mother of two beautiful girls—Alexandra, Alex for short, is employed at the Pasco School District, and Jada is currently in high school. I am married and have been since 2009, been together since 2003, almost 20 years. We have been through so much but even through it all he has stuck by my side. I have been far from perfect, but I serve an awesome and very forgiving God!!
Well this is not my first rodeo this would be my 3rd time servings state sentence at WCCW. This time I was given 31 months. Five months in while serving that sentence, I was taken back to court and was federally charged with another crime. My range is extremely high can get anywhere from 7 to 12.5 years, maybe more if the judge sees fit. It would be a lie to say I was blindsided. Big actions have big consequences, so now I am just dealing with it.
My kids and family are all upset with me. They miss me. They don't understand why. It’s hard for me to explain. My sentencing is on June 9th. I'm trying to stay positive because if I don’t then I have no hope. Without hope I am broken. All I can do is move toward trying to overcome my addiction and be a better person than I was yesterday. I do have a family and support system behind me, and all of you reading now, which is more than some people have and for that am grateful. What I do not have is the support of a church family, because somewhere along the way I lost it and never reestablished it in the tri cities area. So I can’t you how grateful I am for all of you and especially Alvin because throughout this entire process he has done his best to find me through the system and reach out to me. I can't tell you how much that means to me. Again, I am grateful for each and every one of you and I can't wait to be a success in this program. Thank you. I look toward to hearing from you.
MONTHLY
LEARNING MODULES
The Lost Art of Letter Writing
Prison letters make up much of the New Testament. It’s also how we start a new relationship.
Success?
It’s not what you think. Come back to this page often.
Through the Gates
Prison visits, email, phone calls, and the even trickier barriers within us.
The Art of Building Trust
It’s the environment for healing. From the voices of our incarcerated mentors.
Money
Maintaining relationship & removing barriers.
Welcoming Prayer
This is our own spiritual formation: releasing control, opening up the locked doors within.
Trauma & Healing
Pain can isolate us, or draw us into connection.
Addiction
How do we understand this phenomena?
Mental Health
This affects all of us. It’s about disconnection.
Mass Incarceration
A culture that disposes of humans. And how one relationship at a time interrupts it.
Writing My Wrongs
“What was their crime?” Storytelling goes both ways.
BEARING WITNESS TO THE RESURRECTION
The few disciples and followers who witnessed something new at the emptied tomb Easter morning ran back to the larger community, telling them what they’d seen. What happened there changed their lives, turned their imaginations of God and of the future upside down.
When the stone is rolled away, it’s the start of a local movement. And, as the movement spread, their letters in the New Testament outlined a radical new ethic.
These final two modules will hopefully help your team connect the rupture of your experience so far with the larger opportunities ahead.
Rethinking Incarceration
What if we’re only starting to glimpse a very different imagination of God’s justice and restoration?
Is This Just the Beginning?
The program is ending, sure. But something more real has only begun.
TELL ANOTHER CHURCH YOU KNOW
You are the greatest ambassadors for this to grow.
Invite friends and leaders at another church to hear your experience and consider doing One Parish One Prisoner themselves. Send them this link and see what they think:
THANK YOU
A New Calling for Your Church?
BONUS Module (if you’re itching for more)
“We believe in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.”