For the 22nd straight year, representatives
from more than 28 Contra Costa County children-serving agencies were on
hand at the Marsh Creek Detention Facility's woodshop to choose toys
handcrafted and bicycles refurbished by the inmates. The items will be
given to the children who are being served by these agencies during the
upcoming holidays. The Marsh Creek Detention Facility inmates have
participated in this project during the year, fixing up used bikes to
look and ride like brand new and building beautiful wooden toys, such
as, pull toys, doll houses, doll cradles, fire houses, fire engines,
yo-yos, cars, rocking horses, rocking motorcycles, skill games, and many
more. All of the toy makers and/or bike mechanics are students in the
Contra Costa Adult School, an accredited school directed by the Contra
Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), which is located within the
jail facility.
(Left to right): Students in the woodshop class gather around the hand-crafted toys with their teacher Khaia McGill, Principal Angela Hatter, Director of Contra Costa Adult Schools Lynn Mackey, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ovick in the Marsh Creek woodshop.
This morning, the Detention Facility's woodshop certainly looked
like Santa's Workshop, with its festive decorations and showcasing the
beautiful toys and bikes. Along with the non-profit-agency
representatives picking out presents, numerous county members of law
enforcement and education were on hand. The morning featured remarks
made by Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston and Contra Costa
County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Ovick. Both speakers thanked
all those involved and reminded the attendees what a special
partnership this program has been over the past 22 years. Sheriff
Livingston introduced Khaia McGill, who is the new woodshop teacher at
Marsh Creek. Along with her teaching duties, she will oversee the
production of the toys and bikes for next year. Dr. Ovick finished by
personally addressing five inmates who were on hand for the event:
“Gentlemen, numerous at-risk children in our county will certainly have a
brighter holiday season due to your craftsmanship with these bikes and
toys.”
Non-profit organizations participating in this special event
include: the Bay Area Rescue Mission, Contra Costa County Department of
Social Services, Contra Costa County Independent Living Skills Program,
El Cerrito Fire Department, George Miller Center-East, International
Orphan Relief Foundation, La Casa Ujima, Lynn Center, Monument Crisis
Center, Salvation Army, Shelter Inc., Sheriff Station Bay, and Solomon
Temple M.B.C.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
During the 2012-13 school year, approximately 2,895
inmates (throughout the three Contra Costa detention facilities) were
enrolled in classes ranging from academic programs, including basic
literacy and GED preparation, to vocational programs, including woodshop
and state-of-the-art computer training. By the end of the school year,
50 student-inmates received their GED and 36 received a high school
diploma, and 13 students passed the California High School Exit Exam. In
addition, there were 471 students who demonstrated learning gains in
reading or math, and 786 students earned a certificate of completion in
computer applications. Another course directed by the CCCOE is the DEUCE
Program (Deciding, Educating, Understanding, Counseling, and
Evaluation). These three-part classes (90 days) focus on substance abuse
prevention. Last year, 1,436 students completed at least one of the
three phases, and 311 students graduated from DEUCE. The Parenting
Inside/Out class teaches vital parenting skills to women and men, with
58 certificates issued last school year. The CCCOE just opened a new
re-entry class in November at West County Detention Facility. The
re-entry class offers workforce readiness, career exploration, soft
skills workshops and a nine-week cognitive-behavior-change program
called Transitions. Currently, 54 inmates are already enrolled in the
reentry course.
These classes help to provide education and skills needed for successful transition back into the community.