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Fostering A Sense Of Dignity

“A big transition that was strange and frightening turned into something comforting, joyful, and welcoming because of the care your church extended to Donnie. I hope you can find a way to share this message with them,” writes Jackie Ouvry, Assistant Defender in the State Appellate Defender Office and attorney for Donnie Davis.  

Birmingham First, through our Church and Society Ministry and in cooperation with the Michigan State Appellate Defenders Office (SADO) in Detroit, sponsors an ongoing Juvenile Lifer (JL) support program. Juvenile Lifers are prison inmates who were sentenced to life in prison without parole when they were 17 years old or younger. There are currently over 300 Juvenile Lifers in Michigan prisons and most of them have served between 25 and 60 years behind bars. Our JL support program reaches out to both just-released Juvenile Lifers and to those who remain incarcerated. 

Donnie Davis, a just-released Juvenile Lifer, left prison on October 30, 2020 after 40 years incarcerated. He was moving to a new town, Grand Rapids, and was nervous to be going to a bigger city after growing up in small ones.  

Birmingham First’s JL support program provides just-released Juvenile Lifers with a backpack and a duffel bag containing life essentials (clothes, shoes, jackets, socks, winter outerwear, toiletries, and gift cards for meals and shopping). Volunteer shoppers are provided with a soon-to-be released JL’s name, sizes, and any unique clothing needs along with a $330 shopping allowance to fill a backpack and duffel bag. The backpack and duffel bag are presented to the JL on the day he is released from prison. Between 10 -12 Michigan Juvenile Lifers are released each year. The backpacks and duffle bags that the church provides serve to welcome JLs back into society and to help ease their transition from incarceration.   

In a message Birmingham First received from Assistant Defender Ouvry, she writes, “I hope you can please reach out to the church you work with that creates bags for returning juvenile lifer prisoners. I want to thank them for the generosity shown to my client, Donnie Davis.” 

She continues, “Donnie appreciated that he was going to a welcoming community at Exodus Place, a transitional housing facility, but he felt at home when he received the bags from your church. The clothes helped him find work, and the extras stuffed into every pocket fostered a sense of dignity in returning to the outside world. The masks especially made him feel comfortable in a strange new place because he at least knew he would have protection from the pandemic.

“I spoke with Donnie tonight. He is glad to be working, happy in a safe home, and grateful that strangers thought to make him a little more comfortable in a scary time. Thank you so much.” 

Birmingham First’s work with Juvenile Lifers is a joyful way for us to live out our faith and to follow Christ’s teaching to “love thy neighbor.” If you would like more information on the program or would like to participate as a volunteer, please contact Frank Driscoll at 248.535.2225 or by email.

“I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.”

Matthew 25:38

"The clothes helped him find work, and the extras stuffed into every pocket fostered a sense of dignity in returning to the outside world."
Jackie Ouvry
Assistant Defender in the State Appellate Defender Office and attorney for Donnie Davis

Chelsea-Rose Jabboori

My name is Chelsea-Rose and I am excited to be teaching in the Turquoise Room.  This is my first year teaching at First Kids.  I have many years of experience in child care and as a nanny.  I started my education with OCC and finished my CDA with TeachStone.

I come from a large family.  I am the oldest of six siblings.  We had many wonderful adventures over the years, traveling to most of the United States and some of Canada.  I have a love for nature and adventure.  I really enjoy long road trips, outdoor activities and camping.  I am an artist who enjoys painting, poetry and doing crafts.  I love to study children’s psychology and herbology.  With gentle guidance and compassion, I encourage children to explore and learn.  Children have always been my passion in life.

I am an active member of Berkley First and am happy to now be connected with Birmingham First.

I am looking forward to learning and growing with your children this school year.

Brooke Lynch

My name is Brooke Lynch, and I am excited to be your child’s classroom teacher!  This is my fourth year as a parent at First Kids Preschool and I look forward to joining the teaching staff this year.  I have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Miami University.  I taught first grade for seven years in Chicago.  I then worked for five years as Director of Operations for a charter school management company here in Michigan.  I decided to take some time off from work once my husband Joe and I welcomed our third baby.  After two years at home with Kyle (6), Grace (4), and Griffin (2) I am thrilled to return to the classroom.  First Kids is such a special place and I feel so honored to now be part of the community as both a teacher and parent.  I can’t wait to partner with you to provide a wonderful year of fun and learning for your child!

Jillian McDonald

My name is Jillian McDonald and I am thrilled to be teaching in the Green/Orange Room.  This will be my first year teaching at First Kids Preschool.  Previously, I taught three and four-year-old preschool in the Birmingham Public Schools for six years.  Before that, I was a first grade teacher in Detroit.  Between teaching positions, I took time off to raise my three children, Madelynn, Riley and Delaney.  Madelynn and Riley are twins and will be starting their first year of college in the fall.  My daughter, Delaney will be a senior at Groves High School.  In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, reading, and going to my cottage in Northern Michigan.  I am so excited to be working with the four-year-olds.  As an early childhood educator, I love to make my students’ first experiences with school very memorable.  I enjoy helping them build their independence and self-confidence.  I like to encourage the building of a classroom community to promote social skills and conflict resolution.  I am so happy to begin this journey of learning with you and your child!

Gloria Fulton

My name is Gloria Fulton, and I am very excited to be teaching at First Kids Preschool.  I also work in childcare for Children and Family Ministries at Birmingham First United Methodist Church.  I am a member of the Garden of Faith Missionary Baptist Church where I currently teach Sunday school and assist with the youth choir.  For two years, I was co-leader of the Brownie troop at Upton Elementary, where my daughter attended school.  I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Michigan University and am currently working towards my Child Development Associate.  I  enjoy miniature golf, walking, traveling, and spending time with my family.