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Uncertain Future for Gemeinschaft Home Save Email Print
Harrisonburg, Va.
Posted: 6:26 PM Oct 10, 2008
Last Updated: 1:01 PM Oct 11, 2008
Reporter: Michael Hyland
Email Address: mhyland@whsv.com

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One of the departments that saw significant cuts in Gov. Tim Kaine's plan this week was the Department of Corrections.

The cuts have put Harrisonburg's Gemeinschaft Home in jeopardy. It's a home for non-violent offenders to receive addiction counseling and to help them transition back into society.

The home's executive director, Jennie Amison, says they have 60 days to either find new funding or they'll have to close. The non-profit gets the vast majority of its funding from the state, which sends people to the home from correctional facilities.

At Gemeinschaft Home Friday, Max Jenkins celebrated his graduation. He just completed six months at the home.

"I owe the community a lot that I took away," says Jenkins.

He spent 17 months in prison for selling drugs before coming to the home to receive addiction counseling.

However, because the future in unclear, the home is having to consider new options. Amison says they'll have to downsize. They won't be able to take in any more people for now, and she's unsure if they'll be able to continue treating the people that are already in the home.

"This place is my life, my passion, my ministry," says Amison. "It's what I'm driven to do and what God kept me to do. And, I think that's why we're so good at it."

Some people arrived at the home two weeks ago. Amison says it's important that the people who are getting treatment complete it. Otherwise the purpose of the transitional program would be defeated.

"Anybody who comes here has a chance to become renewed," says Jenkins.

Amison says she'll start appealing to the community for support. The board is also looking at funding options from the federal government.

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Posted by: Kathy Location: Norfolk on Oct 16, 2008 at 03:07 PM
As a concerned parent who's daughter has been trying to get transferred here with only 5 1/2 mths. left on her sentence, you have to wonder what will become of the non-violent offenders who are sent home with 1 way bus ticket and $25.00 to there name with no where to go and no job. This facility is a God send to those who fit this discription in that it helps them get a job and get re-introduced back into society as well as concurring their addictions. We really need places like this. This is one of the reasons there are so many repeat offenders. It's vertually impossible to get a decent job paying enough money to live on their own without places like this. Please HELP!!!!!

Posted by: steven Location: Elkton on Oct 11, 2008 at 07:48 AM
I think this is sad.With all these prisons closing the doors there are going to be more criminals on the streets cause going to be no room for them.This agency has done a tremndus good job for these people.I worked with alot of thse people at a plant in Rockingham County area and they was will manner guys that just needed guided.I hope that this place gets the funds that they need to keep this place up and running .

Posted by: RayRay Location: w'boro on Oct 11, 2008 at 01:14 AM
I wonder if he fired himself ( and what is he making a year?)What a loser

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