Heart of Clay founders Violet Deilke and Marie Swanson prepare to bring Christmas “goody bags” to men and woman incarcerated at the Clay County Correctional Center. (Photo/Nancy Hanson.)
Nancy Edmonds Hanson
Incarceration can feel like the end of a dark, endless road for the men and women sentenced to spend time behind bars. But at the Clay County Correctional Facility, a group of dedicated volunteers are working to help them find their way back into the light.
The Heart of Clay Correctional Ministry, say founders Marie Swanson and Violet Deilke, offers a Christ-centered program of education, prayer, mentoring and practical assistance that has aided some 120 formerly incarcerated individuals establish productive, rewarding lives after their release. Starting seven years ago with cosponsorship of worship services in the old, cramped county jail, the group of volunteers has expanded its definition of “ministry” into a network of living arrangements, mentoring, support and friendship.
Swanson and Deilke point to Heart of Clay’s three “accountability houses” for men and women in recovery as examples of the non-governmental group’s efforts to clear the way back for those reestablishing their lives. Starting with one house that welcomed six newly released or paroled men in 2018, Crossing Home Moorhead has grown to three facilities — a second for another half-dozen males, plus a third accommodating three women.
Volunteers also lead regular discussion and fellowship sessions for both adults and youth at the correctional center. Among them: Lifeblood, designed to bring hope, healing and change; Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered 12-step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind; and 12 Seeds Growing in Love, focusing on building strong, healthy relationships with Christ and others.
Originally called the Clay County Jail Ministry, the organization emerged over coffee and conversation between the two women. “I was getting ready to retire from MSUM and looking for what was next,” Marie recalls. “I mentioned my interest in jail ministry to Violet, and she said, ‘Why, I want to do that, too!”
The two, who had met through Bible Study Fellowship, agreed: They wanted Clay County to have the kind of jail ministry that had already flourished in Fargo for 35 years. Their conversations led to an organizational meeting in Dilworth in October 2014 that drew three dozen equally interested people from law enforcement, churches and the community. The ministry incorporated as a nonprofit in 2015 and formed a board of directors, with Marie its first chair. Gene Boyle is the current chairperson.
“We wanted to be in the correctional facility to do faith-based programming,” Marie says. “But at that time, the very old space just couldn’t accommodate us. There was no room and no staff to support our work. Julie Savat, the administrator, suggested it would be helpful to do something to help when newly released individuals were released and returning to the community. Their opportunities were so limited.”
Volunteer chaplain Ryan Lewis drew their attention to a program in the Twin Cities that came to provide the framework for the supportive transitional living facilities at the center of the nonprofit’s program. Residents of Crossing Home Moorhead learn basic biblical principles while seeking education and employment. At the same time, they can rebuild relationships with their families, participate in addiction counseling, and focus on life skills like anger management,conflict resolution, decision-making, self-esteem, assertiveness training and parenting. Those who live at Crossing Home are required to work or go to school 40 hours a week and pay their own way.
The senior resident at the first house, Bill, offers a heartfelt testimonial to the program’s effects. “Crossing Home has put my life back on track,” he says. “I’ve gone from 20 straight years in prison to being able to have a new life here. I now enjoy helping the men that come here see new ways to live, thanks to all the help Heart of Clay has shown me.”
The organization’s helping hands are extended, too, beyond those who are currently or formerly incarcerated or living in Crossing Home houses after release.. Its outreach can extend to their spouses and children.
This is the fourth year of Gifts from the Heart, Heart of Clay’s project to bring the hope and light of Christmas. Supported entirely by private contributions, Heart of Clay provides gift baskets to those rebuilding their lives on the outside and presents for their children. Goodie bags of treats, each with a positive message of hope, will also be going to all 120 current residents of the Correctional Center.
Violet and Marie say their group is always looking for others willing to partner in leading classes for residents of the adult and juvenile correctional facilities, as well as mentors for residents of Crossing Home Moorhead. “If you are good at fund raising or planning and running events, we can use your help,” Marie adds. “And we can always use your prayer support and donations.”
For more information on Heart of Clay’s programs and opportunities, both for currently or formerly incarcerated men and women and the volunteers who help them rebuild their lives, check out its website: www.heartofclay.org.
