Dads and Their Sons, a Snapshot from 1972

We go through life learning from our parents. In the best of circumstances they teach you how to become a whole human being. In the worst of circumstances, they can also teach you what not to do. - actor Bryan Cranston,

From the TLC show, Who Do You Think You Are, sponsored by Ancestry.com: aired Aug. 2015.

I remember when I was a young boy I had a mixed relationship with my father. (I am speaking of Karl L. Koerner 1918 to 2000.)  I highly respected my dad yet part of me was afraid of him. He most always seemed distant and out of reach, but there were times when he was very supportive and kind and fun to be around. As I look back, the overall memory I have of my dad is a good one.  He was a good example of a man to follow who kept family and professional life balanced and who supported my mother and tried to do the best for us kids. Me being the last of six kids, I think he mellowed somewhat, or he just ran out of energy. Either way I understand how that can be.

My dad had a temper and when he would get angry you did not want to be in the room, but he also had a sense of humor, and could tell a corny joke and laugh at one like the rest of us. That part of me remains from his DNA.

As part of my job at the prison, I have the opportunity to counsel inmates.  Twice this past week, I spoke with incarcerated dads, trying to rekindle relationships with their sons.  After the conversation I thought about my relationship with my dad and sons. I ask myself what did I do right? What could I have done better with?  How can I improve?

Recently I found a notebook in the garage with my Dad's notes from our trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in July of 1972. In this particular slide (left), my dad is commenting on me and Chuck hanging our camp food between trees for the night to keep the bears from getting it.

Some quotes from his notes: July 5, 1972 - Gus and Chuck (Jaecks) putting up a Bear Pack something like this. I imagine if the Bears saw them do these things they would die laughing. I'm sure if they were hungry or they would get it down.

Notes like these from our parents are precious to family history.  I urge all my readers to keep them safe.

So how is this going to make me a better father?  I'm going to keep loving my kids, just how they are and supporting them in the paths their on.  If they want my advice I'll give it to them, otherwise I'll continue to urge them to do their best, stay close to God and honor their spouses and children.  I hope my kids can take my good qualities and emulate them, and my less desirable traits and be careful not to follow them.  Either way, in that way a dad can have a positive influence on his children.

- gus

Feedback On The 100-Hour Transition Program

This is a very unique program and I have enjoyed every minute of teaching and working with the inmates taking the class.  These are some of my observations and suggestions to the program.  When I refer to “students” I am speaking of the inmates:

It seems there’s a mandate that the students get exactly 100 hours of face-to-face instruction from the curriculum and approved DOC videos.  I think between facilitators, institution supervisors and administrators that could be defined differently.  There needs to be some flexibility there, in that some of the highest quality moments of instruction can come with one-to-one interviews with the instructor outside the formal classroom.  The institution as a whole can release (in my experience) up to a hundred inmates a month from all three units.  In cases such as this, a balance must be struck to get all these students trained and ready to leave.

The motion picture Antwone Fisher, 2002 with Denzel Washington needs to be on the approved video list.  It is riveting for the students, and it is a very good lead-in lesson to Anger Management, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Social Situations and Families.

I’d like to see a greater association with Chaplaincy services.  Perhaps some of the volunteers in that area could be trained to instruct parts of Transition, so as to free up time for the Facilitator to spend more time with individuals in and out of confinement.  I’d also like to see a Transition Volunteer program.  This would not only help his/her program, but could also serve the smaller work camps.

Facilitators need to become collaborators with the different learning areas of the institution.  This has been a true blessing to my program.  This can become necessary when students have special medical (physical and mental) needs or learning disabilities.  I had a hearing impaired (100% deaf) student who sat in my class for days not learning until I found some other inmates and staff who knew ASL (sign).  Is it possible to Close Caption our video series?

I want to encourage Facilitators to consider themselves Customer Service agents.  We serve the inmates.  Sure, the students are convicted felons, but in a very short time they will be “normal” citizens in our communities, shopping at Winn Dixie. Are we preparing them for that?  While in the Transition class, there needs to be a genuine attitude of transition, (i.e. a kind of metamorphosis) in that I don’t think there is harm in beginning to treat them as ladies and gentlemen with respect, honesty and candor that any person on the outside would expect and deserve.  Yes they’re inmates and some will still steal stapler springs, but we need to treat them with respect and let them know it is expected in return.

I have regularly used as a community information resource the University of Florida / IFAS Extension System, especially their Families and Consumer section, and their free publication through EDIS.  EDIS is the Electronic Data Information Source  of UF/IFAS Extension, a collection of information on topics relevant to consumers, especially Florida residents.    UFL/IFAS has an office in virtually every Florida county the students may visit for free or low cost information and services.

Is a graduate student somewhere surveying released felons on what helped or hindered their transition?

Should the Transition Facilitator take on part of the task of finding students leads for employment, identification, felon check-in locations and driver’s license issues?  I think the short answer is “no”, but with Classification and Release Officers being backed up with work, if Transition doesn’t assist, they will not get this information.  Learning the 14 Transition lessons is beneficial, but if an inmate can’t find necessary resources, it’s more probable he or she will return.  One small suggestion would be to verify possession of Social Security cards early in an inmate’s confinement.  Why wait until the end of a 10+ year sentence to apply for a SS card?

I have really appreciated the re-supply of classroom materials such as pencils, folders and paper.  Thank you.  I suggest an auto-resupply mechanism such as 1 new pencil for every pre/post test returned and 1 ream of paper for every 10 class evaluations, or something like that.  That is, if you’re having a hard time getting these critical documents returned.

I’d really like to see some interaction with other Transition Facilitators, even virtual such as a community blog, Skype or regular teleconference.  We need this for encouragement and idea and resource swapping.

Final note: I have thoroughly enjoyed this time as a facilitator of this program and working with you and the Classification staff.  Even though I am leaving for a different position with DOC, I hope our paths cross often.

We're now publishing Transition information.

Voice of Truth Ministry blog (this site) has now made a new Transition page, if you notice to the top right.

The intent of this page is to publish resources for individuals who need help in the form of community resources to get back on their feet.  Daily I work with people who are looking for a place to live, help with coping or opportunities for employment after being removed from the workforce for an extended length of time; transitioning or moving back into the mainstream community.

Today this list is short, but watch it grow and feel free to send me comments on additional resources.  God bless you all.

So what is the "truth" Voice of Truth Ministry is proclaiming?

This has been bugging me for days.  How do I dare have a website that has the word "truth" in the title, implying that what I am saying is the truth, when I am so disapprovingly adamant about dogmatic know-it-alls who think their truth is better (more true) than another?  The whole My Jesus is better than your Jesus attitude.  What makes me and my site different, and I like being different, is that with the exception of my faith in Christ, the principles I support and write about I consider to be universal in nature, and relativly void of any offensiveness to the common person of nearly every faith.  Am I trying to be politically correct?  No.  I just realize some people aren't Christian believers, and I respect that.

I started this blog, Voice of Truth Ministry in February 2012 with the first post The reason this ministry got started because I couldn't contain how I felt any more. I had to express at that time the following points, and it holds true today namely:

• No matter where we are in life, God cares about us and we are part of His plan,  
• Even though we may be in an uncomfortable situation, perhaps even hopeless, God can be our strength and our salvation if we only reach out to Him in prayer and through His Word,
• Don't be afraid.  The #1 most stated commandment in the Bible is "Fear Not", mentioned 27 times.  Even when we have to face our demons, God will forgive and be with us if we only ask, and finally,
• Do the next right thing. Make good, wholesome choices that support love, peace, forgiveness, understanding, healthy living, brotherhood and family.

In knowing and doing these four things we'll be blessed beyond measure.  These are virtually the only religious/spiritual truths I know, so that's what this blog will support and encourage.

My question is, am I writing this for others or for me?  I can see now that's it's for both reasons, because my points aren't intuitive to the average Joe or Jill, and they sure haven't been to me.  Most of us aren't raised knowing God loves us and actually cares about our situations.  Sometimes we're told, but that's not enough.  This is something we must hear from others who've been there, and learn on our own, in our own time.

Finding Youself, Finding Balance

More and more often I am having these magical days, such as today where I meet inspiring people and learn inspiring thoughts through sound and imagery.  This is completely because I am learning to let go of fear and preconceived thoughts of how I should act and what I should say and do.  I am learning to follow my heart and emulate others who do the same.

In my transition class today I taught about wellness, and what it takes to be of healthy mind and body.  We spoke of balance and how sometimes our lives get out of kilter, which literally means out of good health or condition1. We spoke of keeping things in perspective and not putting too much time or energy into any one thing, or keeping family, love and other important values higher on the priority list than things that just won't matter in the long term.  As a matter of fact, I was going to write more about this but my ideas took a turn when I met Nelson.

Nelson Guda, who's images I've use here, is a photographer, artist and author from Ohio who travels the globe in pursuit of his art.  As PhD Biologist he could be doing many different things, but if you see some of his work such as the Sensual Rainforest you may see the influence of living systems and how they have impacted his artistry.  I am looking forward to his newest work, The Enemies Project and how he captures conflict and examines the many sides of this issue.

May God bless us all to truly discover the gifts within, our true selves and use them to the benefit of our brothers and sisters.

Reaffirmation of this Project

Yesterday I fasted, contemplating and praying about what role God wanted me to play in this world and in His ministry. What became clear to me is that I need to keep doing what I am doing but more so, including this blog. Whatever role I happen to be in at the moment, I need to do it to my best ability, seeking His guidance, giving Him praise, and repenting when I err. As a man, I need to seek to be a Godly man, as a father - a Godly father, as a husband - a Godly husband. Even though I have a job and activities that do not often allow direct mention of Jesus Christ, I can still represent Him in a way where others find Hope, Joy, Peace and Encouragement in their lives.

I had an unexpected opportunity to share the Lord today. It was in no way planned. During the baptism at the East Unit prison, I felt called during a time lull to stand and share my conversion and testimony to about one-hundred fifty men in blue. I asked permission from the visiting pastor, but he was kind of obligated to say yes. I hope I didn’t offend him. I just couldn’t stay quiet. Since I am the Transition teacher, I couched my message of transitioning from a man of the world to a man of God, such as Saul to Paul (Galatians 1:11-16). It was an honor and a blessing to share my story.  For security purposes, the image included is not from my event.

On my way into work this morning I heard this:

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me, Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed...

But the voice of truth tells me a different story, And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!", And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory" - - From Song, Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns"