UPDATED

Since going to press, University Behind Bars has changed its name to University Beyond Bars. The new website for UBB can be found at http://www.universitybeyondbars.org/.

FREEDOM THROUGH EDUCATION

The Prisoners Education Network is hosting FREEDOM THROUGH EDUCATION, a fundraiser for its main program, University Behind Bars.

Greenwood Senior Center is the venue for an evening of music, fine foods and silent art auction. Many students from my art class have donated paintings and other from outside the class have made crafts for auction. Local families and a local church group have pooled resources to make this happen. If you want to know why so many different people are invested, I think it is because they share PEN’s values and mission.

Buy tickets at Brown Paper Tickets

Freedom Through Education on Facebook

BACKGROUND

The Prisoners Education Network (PEN) is five years old. I have been with PEN for nine months now. In this current quarter, the University Behind Bars (UBB) offered is widest selection of courses – including Art, Business Law, Child Development/Psychology, English Composition, Human Geography, Intro to Math, Music Theory and Sociology.

PEN is the only organisation in Washington State providing college level education and credits to prisoners.

PEN is currently expanding its UBB program to preserve its widened curriculum. All teachers are volunteers and 98% of donations go directly toward tuition fees and books. Our teachers are passionate professionals, but our students are the heart of the program. Via the correspondence course set-up, students receive credit from Ohio University. Beyond matters of credit, the students are building a shared community of learning within Washington State Reformatory at Monroe Correctional Complex.

This is the first big fundraiser of the year. It would be great to see you there, but if you can’t attend because you are in another state or on another continent, please consider donating to PEN via the website.

Thank You