Update from Prison Outreach

James “Sneaky” White, who created our Prison Outreach program, is in touch with Vets who are coming up for parole. Jim sees that they’re well prepared for the hearing so that the parole board’s questions are all answered for a favorable outcome. He’s teacher, coach and advocate all at the same time, the embodiment of our acronym, NVF—No Vet Forgotten.

At a recent staff meeting, White reported that one of the Vets he’d been working with would be released very soon. “He’s being paroled from Blythe after serving a long sentence. I’ll let you know the date when I do. We need someone to meet him and get him to US Vets.” 

Listening closely were Gerald, who would likely be the one to transport the man, and Markham who’d be making the connection with US Vets for housing. “What’s his name,” Gerald asked.

“He goes by Batman.” The silent question on everyone’s mind was how did he get a name like that? Not just how, but when— 

As a kid, the only TV show he wanted to watch was “Batman.” When his father, drunk, would beat his mother, his son tried to stop it. She called him “her Batman.” The name stuck. 

As with others, NVF staff will facilitate the return of this Vet to civilian life. Some of our best staff were incarcerated Vets. Housing and a job are important, but we feel the offer of community is critical.