Archdiocese of Dubuque Jail and Prison Ministry Coordinator Deacon Bill Hickson, Clancy’s personal mentor, said to Clancy in December 2009, “I’ve always been impressed with how you have looked out for others in the drug court program. You seem to be a bridge between them and us.”
Hickson and Clancy were matched through the Jail and Prison Ministry’s mentoring program.
Molokken also commented on Clancy’s growth throughout the process.
“You came into my office very quiet, and as of late, you have been doing lots of public speaking engagements, sharing personal information with crowds of people you do not know,” she said.
Clancy thanked Shubatt for giving him the opportunity and having faith in him from the beginning. “Your decision to accept me and believe in me has helped me save my life and put enjoyment back into everyday living,” Clancy said.
Circles of Support and Accountability
Clancy believes a major key to his success was taking advantage of other support programs, such as Circles of Support and Accountability, which were introduced into the Jail and Prison Ministry
about five years ago.
Circles of Support and Accountability consist of trained volunteers who help offenders in their healing process and direct them toward responsible living. While the drug court provided structure, Clancy’s circle provided the real-life friends and relationships he needed to effectively change his lifestyle.
“I think a reason some people do not succeed [in drug court] is that they do not pursue the programs that are out there for them,” Clancy said. “I don’t know where I would be without ‘Circles.’”
According to Hickson, there are 64 mentoring pairs throughout archdiocese, 14 active Circles of Support and Accountability and more than 200 volunteers helping with the effort.
“Drug court is just one part of our restorative justice program, and it’s only in [Dubuque] that we are as involved as we are, but there are drug courts throughout the archdiocese and we are going to try to establish a relationship with each one of them,” Hickson said.
“I consider it a great privilege to participate in the ministry and … work with people like Chris. What is required on his part is a real openness. You have to bare your soul and let us look at everything, good and bad. I am hoping and praying we continue to be a new dawn for people — an opportunity to shine light where there is darkness and make people aware of God’s second chances.”
At first, Clancy was not sure about the Circles of Support and Accountability. “It was something I wanted no part in,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine sitting in a circle with a bunch of unfamiliar people, telling them all of the bad stuff I’ve done.”
Now, Clancy said Hickson is not only a mentor, but also a friend. “This is a type of friendship I never thought possible without alcohol or drugs,” he said. “For this, I am blessed and feel God led [Hickson] to become part of my life.”
A talented bowler, Clancy was almost ready to give up after he did not do as well as expected in a bowling tournament last year.
“[Hickson] really taught me that bowling is a game and everything else is a game; those are extra activities,” Clancy said. “And if you don’t succeed, you have to succeed in life. It was great to have that
support to turn to.”
Second chances
Because of the drug court and Circles of Support and Accountability, Clancy’s future is brighter than ever before. In addition to his job, he is a volunteer in the Media Services/Education Resource Center at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center.
Clancy also became chairperson of one of his Alcoholic/Narcotics Anonymous meeting groups and finished fifth in the prestigious Big 10 bowling tournament.
“I am glad that you have gotten all areas of your life put back together and have built yourself a real solid foundation on which to move forward,” Shubatt said. “You are an example to employers that want to give somebody a second chance, that they can be worth it … that people are worth second chances.”
More than anything, Clancy is happy to have an improved relationship with his family. He once said his family was one of the things he missed the most during his addiction. Now, he talks to his dad frequently and can enjoy family vacations, like a recent trip to a baseball game.
“The stadium was beautiful and being able to actually see it and enjoy it is something I will never forget because I was not lost in the fog,” Clancy said.
“As I reflect on the past year in drug court, I cannot overlook how close I am becoming with my family. I know now [my sisters] can say with confidence that they have an older brother. We, as a family, can again take pictures, and I can now look at them and be proud of who I am and who we, as a family, have become.”
Printed with permission from The Witness, newspaper for the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa.