If you ever thought telling someone “Good morning,” and
flashing them a genuine smile was a futile effort at service, you clearly
haven’t met Sarah Colbert. This 70 year old South Carolina native takes time
out of her schedule Thursday mornings to do just that at the Harlem Community
Justice Center during parole hearings.
“I’m glad it might rain so my friends can’t play the tennis
match without me,” Sarah joked as she served bagels and muffins to the individuals under parole supervision
awaiting their parole hearings at the Harlem Community Justice Center. That’s right. This retired radiology tech,
Occupational Safety Department employee and nursing
assistant has been playing tennis for the past seven years. She also loves
bowling and volunteering through the Interfaith Center of New York and her
church—St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church—where she has volunteered
with the HIV/AIDS program, feeding ministry and health education.
You might notice a common theme in Sarah’s life based upon
her former employment, current volunteer involvement and sports interests. “My
heart is in health and service,” Sarah informed me. “My parents raised me to
serve all people. There’s always so much to do.” Proud to call Harlem her home
for the past several years, Sarah clearly did not leave her “southern
hospitality” back in South Carolina.
But what brought Sarah to serve formerly incarcerated individuals as they await
their parole hearings? “I love encouraging young people here and getting smiles
and hearing their stories.” Considering the uncertainty and stress that
precedes parole hearings, simple words of encouragement and smiles are worth
more than you might think. I couldn’t help smiling as I observed Sarah talk and
laugh with so many of these young men by name. It’s obvious that the fruits of
her service extend beyond handing out breakfast pastries and beverages here
once a week.
Sarah’s heart for justice involved young people is also a
bit personal, as her son has been involved in his share of unjust run-ins with
the police. “I also have a friend whose son was falsely accused, and he just
received his bachelor’s degree,” Sarah shared. “I love when kids tell me
they’re going back to school or whatever their plans are. I love watching them
flourish.” One of the most important principles Sarah shares with these people
is to be leaders, not followers. And when they lead, they must lead people down
the right path.
“You can do it,” is one of two favorite phrases Sarah often
shares with the young people she serves. The other phrase? “God promised it to
you.” It is no coincidence that a majority of Sarah’s community service
involvement has been through church ministries. In fact, all of her service has
been inspired by her faith. Her favorite Bible verse is Luke 6:31, “Do to
others as you would have them do to you.”
The importance of service that her parents instilled in Sarah is truly a
living principle as Sarah continues to live this message.
With a grant from the J.C Flowers Foundation, the Harlem Community Justice
Center, the Interfaith Center of New York and the Network in the Prisons/
Network in the Community Programs (Network Program) have created a partnership
with the goal of engaging family members and faith community volunteers to
support men and women returning to Harlem from prison. The initiative is called
The Family and Faith Reentry Circles of Support
Program.
The forthcoming series of profiles of volunteers, staff, and participants, of the Reentry Family and Faith Circles of Support program, are written by Monique Claiborne. Monique--an Opelousas, Louisiana native--
is a Politics major at Princeton University. Currently an intern at the Harlem
Community Justice Center, Monique plans to continue working for systemic
justice reform as an attorney in the near future.
