Holy Cross Receives Grant to Support Prison Rehabilitation Program

WORCESTER, Mass. – Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD), Holy Cross’ umbrella service organization, has received a $2,500 grant from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation (GWCF) to support a rehabilitation program on prison grounds for soon-to-be-released inmates. The grant proposal was written by SPUD student leaders Laura Walsh ’08 and Matthew Moore ’07, with the support of Marybeth Kearns-Barrett of the Chaplains’ Office.

The Almost Home program at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction in West Boylston supports inmates who may be struggling with drug or alcohol addiction before they return to the community.

Since September, Holy Cross volunteers have been going to the transitional residential facility to cook meals and eat with the residents of the program, which is run by the Dismas House, a nonprofit agency providing programs for inmates after their release from prison.

The Holy Cross students’ work will now be supported with the grant. At $100 per week for 25 weeks of service at the house, student interns will cook meals for participants of the program. Up to five Holy Cross volunteers purchase food and prepare the meals Monday and Tuesday nights from 5 to 7 p.m. The majority of the time is spent making the meal, while the remainder is spent socializing with the residents.

Walsh ’08, from Simsbury, Conn., and Moore ’07, from Melrose, drafted the grant proposal after realizing that the motivations of SPUD programs overlapped with the interests of GWCF. The SPUD interns applied to the foundation’s Mini-Grant Program, which funds “low-cost projects that have an impact on the people or organizations in our community.”

“Without the help of these two interns, this never would have been accomplished,” said Kearns-Barrett.

Before receiving the grant from the GWCF, SPUD was having a difficult time coming up with funds to supply meals for the residents in the Almost Home Program.

“Mealtime is a very important part of the residents’ experience here, as it serves to develop a sense of community within the home,” said Walsh, explaining the significance of the acquired money. “Additionally, mealtimes allow for the residents to interact with the individuals who have prepared the meals. This interaction further supports reintegration into the community.”

Walsh said the work of SPUD is twofold: the organization seeks to help the Worcester community by fulfilling goals and needs indicated by various community sites; and educates Holy Cross students about the larger community and importance of working toward social justice.

“SPUD is incredibly grateful to the Greater Worcester Community Foundation for their generous assistance to our community work,” said Walsh.