What makes me tick as an OHOM volunteer?  Mostly endorphins.  I really feel good about being able to help out in a meaningful way.

I’ve been an advocate for those in difficult situations pretty much all my adult life, beginning half a century ago in Vietnam.  While I’m no warrior my year there was a lab course in human behavior under stress.  That course was imperfect and troublesome to be sure.  And yet…

I learned that through patience, compassion, focus and humor I can establish a supportive relationship with someone who is experiencing pain or trauma or depression.  My motto through all my adult years has been simply, “Ease their way.”

Over time as a volunteer I’ve mentored at-risk teens, been a court-appointed advocate for abused and neglected children, served mentally and medically challenged elders, delivered meals and comfort to shut-ins, and now in OHOM I’m honored to work for inmates in Oregon prisons.

What I appreciate most about OHOM is the David vs. Goliath aspect of our mission.  The Oregon Department of Corrections is a huge institution dedicated to maintaining order at all costs.  Obvious among the costs is the de-humanization of inmates—all are purposefully confined in a culturally sterile environment.

OHOM by contrast honors each inmate for her or his individual talents and passions.  And when inmates are free to open up, when their humanity is recognized and honored, when inmates can create and play and be supportive, maybe for the first time in their lives, it’s amazing to witness their rehabilitative transformation.

In this work breakthroughs take time but when they happen, when trust overcomes bias and stigma, the result is a lightness of being and true friendship.  I consider many inmates my trusted friends.

I look forward to the end of quarantine so that we can resume OHOM’s mission within the prisons.  I feel the healing is so vital for so many of us, especially for me.