Making Donations for Disaster Relief: Crowley County Correctional Facility

Crowley's Employee Engagement Committee dedicated the week of June 14-18, 2010 to a series of fundraisers for CCA colleagues who were affected by the flood in Nashville and the tornado victims in Oklahoma. Activities included a lasagna lunch, an ugly tie contest, and a pie throwing event. Crowley employees raised a total of $334.

—Mary Fleischacker, principal and public inforfmation officer

Carrying the Torch: Eloy Detention Center

On April 29, 2010 Eloy Detention Center participated in the Annual Torch Run and raised $2,610 for the Special Olympics by selling shirts and hosting a cookie dough sale.

—Corina Price, warden's secretary

Showing Compassion for Co-Workers: Eloy Detention Center, Red Rock Correctional Center, and Florence Correctional Center

In June, staff from Eloy Detention Center, Red Rock Correctional Center, and Florence Correctional Center combined efforts to help raise money for the tornado victims at the Davis Correctional Center. Through these efforts, employees were able to donate over $1,000 to assist tornado victims at CCA's Davis Correctional Center.

—Corina Price, warden's secretary at Eloy

Attending Class at the Capitol: Florence Correctional Center

Byron Brown, assistant warden at Florence Correctional Center, was one of 40 MBA students from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, who participated in a two-day mock budget exercise at the Arizona Capitol on July 6-7, 2010. Students played the roles of legislators and lobbyists as they worked to pass their own mock budget on the Senate floor. Governor Jan Brewer, Secretary of State Ken Bennett and a representative from the Attorney General’s Office participated in the event, which was part of a course called “Business and Public Policy."

—Bertha Montaño, warden's secretary

Fishing for Fun: Lake City Correctional Facility

Lake City Correctional Facility hosted a Youth Fishing Tournament for employees and their families on June 12, 2010. Children competed in categories for biggest fish, smallest fish, and most fish caught. All youth received a prize or participation ribbon. Other activities included coloring pages and balloons. After the tournament, lunch was served and prizes were awarded.

—Shirley Cox, warden's secretary

Keeping Baseball Alive: Leavenworth Detention Center

Zachary Knapp, a correctional officer at Leavenworth Detention Center, was featured in a Q&A article on the sports page of the Leavenworth Times on Friday, July 9. Knapp plays an important role in the community by coaching three local baseball teams in three different age groups - the Post 23 LV Diamond Jaxx of the American Legion Post 23 League, the Diamond Jaxx of the Sandy Koufax League and the Little Jaxx of the Willie Mays League in Leavenworth. The players range in age from 8 to 17. Knapp has been coaching for the past three years.

—Connie Parish, warden's secretary and public information officer

"Living Violence-Free": Marion County Jail II

This is a six week program that meets for 90 minutes. It is facilitated by a volunteer, Lucia Sheehan, who not only developed this program, but also is one of the facility's literacy coaches through the Indy Reads program. This program is personal to her heart because she has gone through three abusive marriages and wanted to make a difference in people's lives that deal with violence. She believes that the abusers can make changes in their lives if they recognize where the anger and fear comes from. This program focuses on educating inmates on how to live without violence in all aspects of their lives, not just with their domestic partners. It's about managing emotions, anger and making better choices. An article about the program was recently featured in the Indianapolis Star.

—Michelle Ryder, assistant warden and public information officer

Washing Cars for Co-Workers: Metro-Davidson County Detention Facility

Staff volunteers recently held a car wash in an effort to raise funds for employees impacted by the May 2010 Nashville Flood. The warden and assistant wardens raffled off their parking spots and Correctional officer Thomas Mitchell donated a 42-inch flat screen television for the raffle.

—Susan Poindexter, warden's secretary and public information officer

Celebrating Independence Day: Nevada Southern Detention Center

Nevada Southern Detention Center celebrated Independence Day by having a potluck and honoring its veterans. Employees presented a letter and flag to employee veterans. The letter read, "On this Independence Day, I want to take the time to say 'Thank You' for your service. The sacrifice you have made for your country allows every American to pursue their dreams. You and your fellow soldiers have given this nation the gift of unlimited prosperity."

—LeeAnn Archuleta, chief of unit management

Collecting Clothing for Colleagues: Saguaro Correctional Facility

From June 2, 2010 to June 30, 2010 Saguaro Correctional Facility collected gently used clothing for tornado victims at Davis Correctional Facility and flood victims at CCA facilities and CCA's Facility Support Center in Tennessee. Saguaro employees sent out 11 large boxes filled with clothing. All together, the boxes weighed 370 pounds.

—Traci Thompson, warden's secretary and public information officer

Giving Blood: West Tennessee Detention Facility

On June 17, 2010 West Tennessee Detention Facility sponsored a Blood Drive along with the local Red Cross.

—Lori Counts, administrative supervisor