Shepherd Staff’s Post

“The rate of recidivism in Colorado is too high. We’re not even in the top half in U.S.” - Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General's Office . I recently had the privilege of attending The Colorado Fair Chance Hiring Initiative beautifully put together by LATINO COALITION FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP in my hometown of Colorado Springs. The vision of this event was to mobilize employers who are dedicated to fair chance hiring so that justice impacted individuals can connect to career pathways that provide a livable wage. I had a front row seat to thoughtful (and at times emotional) panel discussions between employers, Colorado Department of Corrections, and foundational CBO’s all focused on catalyzing employment opportunities for those reentering society after finishing their prison sentence, which will: Reduce Recidivism, Improve Public Safety, and Boost Colorado’s Economy. A HUGE shoutout to my former colleague, Jamil Cooks, for hosting and promoting this incredible event & to Dina Gamboa for the contagious passion she brings to her work with incarcerated individuals prior to their release from correctional facilities (and for introducing me to the AG!) My takeaway? Colorado is INVESTED in equipping justice-impacted communities with the tools & resources they need to be successful in their life on the outside of the walls. #FairChanceEmployment #Justice40 #SocialJustice #WorkforceDevelopment #CommunityBasedOrganizations #ItTakesAVillage #EconomicMobility #Empowerment #Equity

Dear Friends, My friend Rev. B. Keith Haney, assistant to the president of Iowa District West -LCMS, is closing his doctoral research survey (https://lnkd.in/da49isi3) on December 7th. His study aims to develop an in-depth analysis of the factors that impact a church’s ability to have long-term success after undergoing a significant organizational change. Learn more on Keith's website: https://lnkd.in/gjgwD7Fj He is looking for 50+ more responses from a broad range of denominations. The survey is anonymous and can be taken in multiple languages, including Spanish, and several others. -pastors -priests -church workers -deacons -elders -communication directors -musicians -teachers -discipleship ministers -administrative assistants -elected officers -anyone who would have been involved or impacted by the change -members with extensive knowledge of the process PLEASE TAKE THE SURVEY OR FORWARD TO SOMEONE YOU KNOW. 💜 TAKE THE SURVEY AT https://lnkd.in/da49isi3. It will take approximately 30 minutes. #doctoralresearch #churches #shareyourexperience #thankyou

1. Focus on Building a Strong Team 💪🏾 2. Develop clear mission and vision 🛤️ 3. Streamline Your New Member Process 📱 Share if this helps your church! 💬 Learn More at www.getchurchsystems.com #ChurchGrowth #ChurchLeadership #HealthyChurch #simplesystems #churchgrowth #pastors #ministry #kingdom #churchsystems #discipleship #evangelism

Although public imagination might think of Indiana as a rural state, most Hoosiers describe the communities where they live as suburban, as do most Americans. On some important measures, these areas across Indiana are not as different from one another as some might guess. But there are other measures by which the three are very different. We believe these differences are so significant that they may offer important insights into cultural and political differences that shape the cultural context where ministry takes place. https://bit.ly/44LB4lK

A Southern Community in Crisis - By Randolph B. Campbell Shop on Legacy of Texas: https://lnkd.in/g-Y8Xm-6 Historians have published countless studies of the American Civil War and following era of Reconstruction. This study differs in its focus on how ordinary people experienced the years from 1861 to 1876. With this in mind, what did secession, civil war, emancipation and Reconstruction mean at the local level in Texas? How much change did the era bring to Harrison County: a cotton-growing, planter-dominated community with the largest slave population of any county in the state?

"If you don't have the knowledge, then that means everything that you do in relation to a child is based on what you think you know rather than what you need to know" Our very own Alia Lewis' powerful words, captured in this Byline Times article by Natasha Phillips about the turmoil one family went through as a result of a lack of understanding of neurodivergence in the Family Justice and Child Protection system. Without change and reform, families will continue to be failed. #familylaw #neurodivergence #neurodiversity #accesstojustice #familyjusticesystem #childprotection

Although public imagination might think of Indiana as a rural state, most Hoosiers describe the communities where they live as suburban, as do most Americans. On some important measures, these areas across Indiana are not as different from one another as some might guess. But there are other measures by which the three are very different. We believe these differences are so significant that they may offer important insights into cultural and political differences that shape the cultural context where ministry takes place. https://bit.ly/44LB4lK

Did you know? In 2022, Goodwill served 28,615 individuals who identified as experiencing homelessness. Goodwill organizations provide various employment placement services, job training programs, and community-based services to assist people. If you need FREE employment assistance, contact us at 304.346.0811 to receive more information about our services! #Goodwill #YouDonate #WeTrain #LivesChange

📢Friends, I want to be in Washington DC. I've completed my master's degree in political science. Many of you have followed along the past couple of years, cheering me on as I've posted milestones on the journey. Now I need your help with resources that will get me connected to the dream job. What is the dream job? 📌Criminal Justice Reform Advocacy 📌Policy Advisor 📌Policy Analyst 📌Government Liaison What is the dream organization? 💼The Innocence Project 💼The Vera Institute 💼American Civil Liberties Union 💼Southern Poverty Law Center What am I great at? ✔Analyzing Complex Data & Arranging It Into Digestible Formats ✔Meaningful Collaboration With Diverse Stakeholders ✔Bringing Together the Right People for the Right Tasks ✔Organization & Implementation of Strategic Plans Please - share this far and wide. Reach out to me with leads. Talk to your networks. Offer resume suggestions. Let's go 🚀

Navigating the ups and downs of careers and daily life, we can sometimes encounter holiday blues. My experiences from working in Corrections and the National Guard have taught me the value of resilience and camaraderie. Remember, it’s essential to reach out and connect, professionally and personally, to overcome tough times. Let’s foster a supportive network this holiday season. #ProfessionalGrowth #Resilience #SupportNetwork