OUTREACH

CSG’s current charity focus is Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, the only women’s prison in the State of Oregon. In April, 2002, a tentative quilting program was started at Coffee Creek; spear-headed by two women with a dream. That ambition has blossomed into a full-fledged group of classes that are open to inmates who are nearing their release dates.

Since that early beginning, the quilting program has grown to 4 regular classes per week and over 300 inmates have completed the program. There are approximately 20 volunteers working on a regular basis, most of these teaching. More than 700 quilts have been produced for local hospitals, terminally ill patients, nursing homes, low income medical centers as well as fire and policemen’s emergency services. In addition to the charity quilts, each student is able to make one personal quilt for herself or for a loved one.

To be able to watch the changes in the students as they learn to create something of beauty and usefulness is a rare privilege. To hear a woman declare that “this class has changed my life” is thrilling.

While there are no official figures, one fact is known: only three former students have returned to prison. According to CCCF management, this quilting program has definitely helped to lower Oregon’s recidivism figure. The national average is about 60%; Oregon is about 30%.

To learn more about CCQ, visit the website www.coffeecreekquilters.com.