Men in prison crocheting? HFP helped!

August marks the 25^th anniversary of Humanity for Prisoners. This is the third in a series of reflections by founder Doug Tjapkes.

 

I’m not sure how it all began. In the earlier days of HFP I was invited to numerous Michigan prisons to hold workshops, give speeches and answer questions. Having made several visits to Women’s Huron Valley (WHV) I learned that a group of women were crocheting for charity. Their wonderful products were going to various shelters for women. 

Later, I was surprised to discover that many men had taken up crocheting! These guys discovered, as well, that such an activity was not only a good use of time but also an excellent way to do something for others. For example, a veterans’ group in one of the facilities was making stacks of coats, hats and scarves for indigent and homeless vets. We shared photos in our newsletter.

BUT, there was a common supply problem. These projects were invariably hampered by a lack of yarn, something the state refused to assist with. And that’s when HFP board member Judy VanderArk stepped up to the plate. 

Judy had served on our board for many years and she and husband Pete were extensively involved in the operation and growth of HFP. Judy met a woman in Grand Rapids who took all kinds of leftover yarn and recycled it, offering craft classes. This woman received unused partial spools of high quality yarn from a GR carpeting company. The only catch was that the ladies had to go into the factory and pack up their own stuff. When there was an excessive amount she would call Judy. 

Judy and a couple of volunteers entered the factory to fill large plastic bags which could then be delivered to prisons. Her husband Pete became an integral participant in this project, in that he drove a pickup truck. Pete recalls making large deliveries, approximately 500 lbs. per truckload, around the state. He remembers making truckload trips not only to WHV, but to men’s facilities in Muskegon, Jackson and Ionia. Over a period of several years HFP proudly provided literally tons of high-quality yarn to crochet groups in Michigan prisons! 

Pete chuckles about making the deliveries. “Arriving at the prison visitor center, sometimes I'd joke to the guy, ‘We have a nice load of yarn we need you to take into custody.’ It never brought a smile.” 

Judy saw some humor in the project as well. “I remember we couldn't take any brown, black or gray yarn because those were the colors the COs wore. Seriously! Did they really fear someone would knit a CO's uniform?” 

Then came Covid in 2020, bringing our involvement to an abrupt halt  

Well, Pete and Judy are up in years now and HFP has moved on to other meaningful programs and projects. 

There is no dispute, however: The yarn project was an important episode in the history of Humanity for Prisoners. We helped men and women on the inside. They helped men, women and children on the outside.

“Action with compassion!” That's our story!