Invitation to Gemeinschaft Dinner Saturday, April 20, 6 pm (with Senator Emmett Hanger)

Park View Mennonite, 1600 College Ave

Here's your invitation to Gemeinschaft Home's annual "Friend-raising Dinner" to be held at the Park View Mennonite Church 6 pm Saturday, April 20. This year's special guest is 24th District Senator Emmett Hanger, who will be speaking on "Trends in Criminal Justice Reform in Virginia."

State Senator Emmett Hanger

Mr. Hanger has been a long time supporter of reentry programs like Gemeinschaft, which is a 30-bed home in Harrisonburg that offers 90 days of supervised rehabilitation and training for ex-offenders. As evidence of its success, out of randomly selected 87 GH graduates from 2010 and 2011, only five were found to be incarcerated. This is extraordinary in that, according to the latest data available, about 29 percent of inmates in Virginia are reincarcerated within 36 months of being released from prison.

As a long-time member of the Gemeinschaft Board, I have become especially aware of the challenges ex-offender's face in reintegrating as responsible members of their communities. We need your help to give our men the best help possible to make this happen.

The meal for this annual fund raising event is being prepared by Keith Ridley, a graduate of the program who operates a food service business in Staunton. Another graduate and a loyal board member, John Butler, will be the master of ceremonies.

Please RSVP at 434-1690 by April 15, or email your reply to Info@GemeinschaftHome.com.

If you can't come but can still make a donation to help us keep Gemeinschaft's program strong, please do so on our website or send a check to Gemeinschaft Home, 1423 Mt Clinton Pike, Harrisonburg, VA 22802.

God will bless you and our residents, staff and board will thank you.

Gemeinschaft Home, 1423 Mt Clinton Pike, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 540-434-1690