New Washington State Chapter of CURE Forming

by Ruth Elder & Kathy Wilkinson

Ruth Elder and Kathy Wilkinson are excited to announce that a new Washington State Chapter of CURE, Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants, is forming. CURE works for criminal justice reform and interacts with policy makers at all levels of government. CURE is a grassroots human rights organization that was founded in Texas in 1972 and became a national organization in 1985. Today, CURE is an international organization with chapters in many states in the US and in several other countries. CURE has taken positions on a number of topics including alternatives to incarceration, the death penalty, the sex offender registry, and drug laws. Washington CURE also works to support those who are or who have been incarcerated and their families and friends. CURE is a membership program, but no dues will be collected until the chapter is formally established as a nonprofit organization. We expect that process to take several months.

We have identified the following goals for the future: (1) a chapter newsletter; (2) regional support groups around the state; (3) collaboration with like-minded groups; (4) meetings with the Department of Corrections, the Governor, and Legislators; and (5) chapter programs and events. Issues that have been identified so far include mental health and substance abuse treatment, the need to reinstitute parole in our state, the death penalty, juveniles sentenced to life without parole, civil commitment, and reentry programs. It will take our collective efforts to work for the changes that we want to see.

A second organizational meeting and holiday potluck will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, December 14, in Building One, Room 152 of the Thurston County Courthouse, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia. Everyone is welcome. The chapter hosts will provide a hot dish, beverages, and service items. Everyone is asked to bring something to share. To assist with planning, please RSVP with either a phone call or text to 360-259-1124, or send e-mail to wacure@aol.com. Mail can also be sent to Washington CURE, c/o Ruth Elder, PO Box 12953, Olympia WA 98508-2953.

We are glad to add like-minded people and organizations to our e-mail and mailing lists, and you can also like us on Facebook. Thanks to everyone who has supported our efforts so far and offered encouragement.