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Photo by Dan Meyers, Unsplash

Touching the life of a stranger is an act of faith, friendship and kindness.

Henry Jewell is a recently released Juvenile Lifer. Mr. Jewell was originally sentenced to life without parole for a crime he committed when he was 17 years old. In 2012, while Mr. Jewll remained behind bars, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to sentence children under the age of 18 to life without the possibility of parole.  Since that ruling, the Michigan State Appellate Defender Office (SADO) has petitioned courts to grant resentencing to Juvenile Lifers.

For the past 5 years, Birmingham and Berkley First have worked with SADO to provide clothing and life essentials to over 25 Juvenile lifers on the day that each one was released from prison. Our congregation provides the Church & Society Ministry with the funding necessary to support this life affirming work.   

The letter below was written on Mr. Jewell’s behalf by the SADO Reentry Team. Mr. Jewell spent 30 years in prison and our gifts were presented to him as he left prison. Mr. Jewell wished to share his deep and sincere appreciation to every member of our faith community. He could not have given us a greater gift!

 

Dear First United Methodist Church of  Birmingham,

On behalf of Henry Jewell and so many others you’ve helped, I want to sincerely thank you for your generosity as our clients come home having once been sentenced to life without parole.

Mr. Jewell was overwhelmed with gratitude when he left prison behind after 30 years to come home to his warm winter coat, and was beaming over all of his new clothes and other items you procured for him. After decades of incarceration, Mr. Jewell and our other clients are always quite blown away by your kindness, as kindness to that degree is something that had rarely been afforded to them. The bags you donate to our clients humanize their reentry and provide a sense of normalcy as they begin the difficult but exciting transition into their new lives.

Mr. Jewell wanted me to share the following: 

“If it hadn’t been for the church, I don’t know what I would have done. I needed help figuring out my sizes because I never knew how clothing sizes even worked. Without the church, I would have been stuck in my khaki MDOC scrubs but now I can go out into the world feeling like a free man.”

Once again, we are so grateful for your thoughtful gestures and care for our valued clients.

With appreciation,

Anna & the State Appellate Defender Office (SADO)Office Project Reentry team (and of course, all of the juvenile lifers you’ve helped along the way!)

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.