OVM, Inc.
@ovmks.bsky.social
Justice services addressing community harm
www.ovmks.org
www.ovmks.org
Join us Thursday, 6-8PM @ the Mennonite Central Committee workroom in North Newton to share love with inmates at Hutchinson Correctional Facility. Pack care kits with basic hygiene supplies, design a note for each kit, enjoy snacks and hear stories from the impact of previous kits.
All ages welcome!
All ages welcome!
mcc.org
February 10, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Join us Thursday, 6-8PM @ the Mennonite Central Committee workroom in North Newton to share love with inmates at Hutchinson Correctional Facility. Pack care kits with basic hygiene supplies, design a note for each kit, enjoy snacks and hear stories from the impact of previous kits.
All ages welcome!
All ages welcome!
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Newton Council for Racial Justice (NCRJ) and Newton Public Library invite you to participate in two interactive escape room experiences exploring Dr. King’s life, legacy, and vision for justice.
Register here: newtonplks.libcal.com/calendar/?ci...
Register here: newtonplks.libcal.com/calendar/?ci...
January 13, 2026 at 6:11 PM
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Newton Council for Racial Justice (NCRJ) and Newton Public Library invite you to participate in two interactive escape room experiences exploring Dr. King’s life, legacy, and vision for justice.
Register here: newtonplks.libcal.com/calendar/?ci...
Register here: newtonplks.libcal.com/calendar/?ci...
Just a #latergram to say thanks for coming to support us and other organizations at the United Way chili cookoff a few weeks ago!
October 13, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Just a #latergram to say thanks for coming to support us and other organizations at the United Way chili cookoff a few weeks ago!
Peter gave of himself in every community where he lived throughout his life.
Family will greet friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Whitestone Mennonite Church, Hesston. Memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the church. The family invites contributions to OVM in Peter's memory.
Family will greet friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Whitestone Mennonite Church, Hesston. Memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the church. The family invites contributions to OVM in Peter's memory.
September 24, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Peter gave of himself in every community where he lived throughout his life.
Family will greet friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Whitestone Mennonite Church, Hesston. Memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the church. The family invites contributions to OVM in Peter's memory.
Family will greet friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Whitestone Mennonite Church, Hesston. Memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the church. The family invites contributions to OVM in Peter's memory.
We were saddened to hear of the passing of another of our longtime volunteers. Peter Hartman passed away unexpectedly September 10. Peter served OVM faithfully as an M-2 volunteer for 22 years - until he was nearly 90 years old - and as a board member for part of that time. (Continued in comments)
September 24, 2025 at 4:57 PM
We were saddened to hear of the passing of another of our longtime volunteers. Peter Hartman passed away unexpectedly September 10. Peter served OVM faithfully as an M-2 volunteer for 22 years - until he was nearly 90 years old - and as a board member for part of that time. (Continued in comments)
But our truancy intervention program offers opportunities for parents and school staff to identify areas they may have overlooked, need to take responsibility, or offer additional support for deficits where the student is unable to overcome a struggle. Families & schools both give positive feedback.
September 23, 2025 at 3:49 PM
But our truancy intervention program offers opportunities for parents and school staff to identify areas they may have overlooked, need to take responsibility, or offer additional support for deficits where the student is unable to overcome a struggle. Families & schools both give positive feedback.
And, according to a study by Washburn University, the Kansas prison population’s instance of not having a high school diploma is four times greater than that of the state’s general population.
September 23, 2025 at 3:47 PM
And, according to a study by Washburn University, the Kansas prison population’s instance of not having a high school diploma is four times greater than that of the state’s general population.
Teens who graduate from high school, on average, make $848 more a month than their friends who dropped out of high school. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
...continued in comments
...continued in comments
September 23, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Teens who graduate from high school, on average, make $848 more a month than their friends who dropped out of high school. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
...continued in comments
...continued in comments
“The ultimate question I have to answer for myself is, can I hold myself accountable for my actions and can I learn to love and like myself enough to actually change?”
-Recent OVM BIP Participant
-Recent OVM BIP Participant
September 23, 2025 at 2:48 PM
“The ultimate question I have to answer for myself is, can I hold myself accountable for my actions and can I learn to love and like myself enough to actually change?”
-Recent OVM BIP Participant
-Recent OVM BIP Participant
"...I always thought that I had been able to take accountability for my actions, but in this class, I learned the actual meaning and more in depth of taking accountability in the future." -OVM BIP Graduate
September 18, 2025 at 6:37 PM
"...I always thought that I had been able to take accountability for my actions, but in this class, I learned the actual meaning and more in depth of taking accountability in the future." -OVM BIP Graduate
"While in class I have learned better ways to deal with my anger, sadness, feeling betrayed and also taking accountability!" ...quote continued in comments
September 18, 2025 at 6:37 PM
"While in class I have learned better ways to deal with my anger, sadness, feeling betrayed and also taking accountability!" ...quote continued in comments
"Through my time in this program, I have learned to be a better husband, partner and person. I have learned how I was acting is not anything you should ever have to deal with. I have learned we are equals in this relationship and that abuse is not only just physical but is very much mental as well."
September 17, 2025 at 3:43 PM
"Through my time in this program, I have learned to be a better husband, partner and person. I have learned how I was acting is not anything you should ever have to deal with. I have learned we are equals in this relationship and that abuse is not only just physical but is very much mental as well."
...continued: "On a wider scale, batterer intervention seeks to create social norms that reject, rather than affirm or ignore, battering within intimate partner and household relationships."
The Kansas Attorney General's Office certifies our BIP. This is from their standards book.
The Kansas Attorney General's Office certifies our BIP. This is from their standards book.
September 16, 2025 at 2:25 PM
...continued: "On a wider scale, batterer intervention seeks to create social norms that reject, rather than affirm or ignore, battering within intimate partner and household relationships."
The Kansas Attorney General's Office certifies our BIP. This is from their standards book.
The Kansas Attorney General's Office certifies our BIP. This is from their standards book.
"The mission of batterer intervention in Kansas is to hold those who batter accountable, create nonviolent behavior, and promote safety for victims." (context in comments)
September 16, 2025 at 2:23 PM
"The mission of batterer intervention in Kansas is to hold those who batter accountable, create nonviolent behavior, and promote safety for victims." (context in comments)
This is your *sign* to start volunteering with M-2! Two training opportunities this weekend:
Hutchinson Correctional Facility:
Saturday, Sept. 13, 8:30am-12pm (10am-12pm for current volunteers) - Old Schoolhouse
Hesston College:
Sunday, Sept. 14, 2-6pm (4-6pm for current volunteers) - Kropf 160
Hutchinson Correctional Facility:
Saturday, Sept. 13, 8:30am-12pm (10am-12pm for current volunteers) - Old Schoolhouse
Hesston College:
Sunday, Sept. 14, 2-6pm (4-6pm for current volunteers) - Kropf 160
September 12, 2025 at 3:43 PM
This is your *sign* to start volunteering with M-2! Two training opportunities this weekend:
Hutchinson Correctional Facility:
Saturday, Sept. 13, 8:30am-12pm (10am-12pm for current volunteers) - Old Schoolhouse
Hesston College:
Sunday, Sept. 14, 2-6pm (4-6pm for current volunteers) - Kropf 160
Hutchinson Correctional Facility:
Saturday, Sept. 13, 8:30am-12pm (10am-12pm for current volunteers) - Old Schoolhouse
Hesston College:
Sunday, Sept. 14, 2-6pm (4-6pm for current volunteers) - Kropf 160
“It felt good to be remembered by people."
In the past three years of OVM's prison pen pen pal program, more than 1500 letters and cards have been exchanged - and lives have been changed for the better.
Contact Emily to add to this count. ✍
In the past three years of OVM's prison pen pen pal program, more than 1500 letters and cards have been exchanged - and lives have been changed for the better.
Contact Emily to add to this count. ✍
September 11, 2025 at 2:53 PM
“It felt good to be remembered by people."
In the past three years of OVM's prison pen pen pal program, more than 1500 letters and cards have been exchanged - and lives have been changed for the better.
Contact Emily to add to this count. ✍
In the past three years of OVM's prison pen pen pal program, more than 1500 letters and cards have been exchanged - and lives have been changed for the better.
Contact Emily to add to this count. ✍
"Not experiencing joy from an outside visit and then joining M-2 and having a visit with someone brightened my life, making me a much better person." M-2 "matches two" people: a volunteer from the community with an inmate at Hutchinson Correctional Facility for friendly, encouraging conversation.
September 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM
"Not experiencing joy from an outside visit and then joining M-2 and having a visit with someone brightened my life, making me a much better person." M-2 "matches two" people: a volunteer from the community with an inmate at Hutchinson Correctional Facility for friendly, encouraging conversation.
"You stand with the belligerent, the surly, and the badly behaved until bad behavior is recognized for the language it is:
the vocabulary of the deeply wounded and of those whose burdens are more than they can bear.” Father Greg Boyle
the vocabulary of the deeply wounded and of those whose burdens are more than they can bear.” Father Greg Boyle
September 9, 2025 at 4:54 PM
"You stand with the belligerent, the surly, and the badly behaved until bad behavior is recognized for the language it is:
the vocabulary of the deeply wounded and of those whose burdens are more than they can bear.” Father Greg Boyle
the vocabulary of the deeply wounded and of those whose burdens are more than they can bear.” Father Greg Boyle
“You stand with the least likely to succeed until success is succeeded by something more valuable: kinship." (1/2)
September 9, 2025 at 4:54 PM
“You stand with the least likely to succeed until success is succeeded by something more valuable: kinship." (1/2)
1 in 2 adults in America has had a family member in jail or prison. everysecond.fwd.us
9800 adults are currently incarcerated in Kansas prisons.
1750 of those are in Hutchinson Correctional Facility.
Many of those never get a visit from a loved one. Visit them: secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/...
9800 adults are currently incarcerated in Kansas prisons.
1750 of those are in Hutchinson Correctional Facility.
Many of those never get a visit from a loved one. Visit them: secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/...
Every Second
The Impact of the Incarceration Crisis on America's Families
everysecond.fwd.us
September 9, 2025 at 3:23 PM
1 in 2 adults in America has had a family member in jail or prison. everysecond.fwd.us
9800 adults are currently incarcerated in Kansas prisons.
1750 of those are in Hutchinson Correctional Facility.
Many of those never get a visit from a loved one. Visit them: secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/...
9800 adults are currently incarcerated in Kansas prisons.
1750 of those are in Hutchinson Correctional Facility.
Many of those never get a visit from a loved one. Visit them: secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/...
But the way that it is applied to systems and structures is outside of a person. So at the core is a fundamental value we miss: the opportunity to provide forgiveness, healing and reparations, and to create wholeness. Justice is a way of being. It's in everything we do. - author unknown (post 2/2)
September 4, 2025 at 4:33 PM
But the way that it is applied to systems and structures is outside of a person. So at the core is a fundamental value we miss: the opportunity to provide forgiveness, healing and reparations, and to create wholeness. Justice is a way of being. It's in everything we do. - author unknown (post 2/2)
Justice is not a law; it is used in the legal system to define right and wrong. Instead, justice is a thread through all parts of life. Justice is really about being— what we see and the way we behave. It's not a thing that is outside of me; it's a thing that's in me. (post 1/2)
September 4, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Justice is not a law; it is used in the legal system to define right and wrong. Instead, justice is a thread through all parts of life. Justice is really about being— what we see and the way we behave. It's not a thing that is outside of me; it's a thing that's in me. (post 1/2)
In "Just Mercy", Bryan Stevenson wrote, “Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.” This perspective informs all of the restorative justice work we do at OVM.
September 3, 2025 at 1:58 PM
In "Just Mercy", Bryan Stevenson wrote, “Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.” This perspective informs all of the restorative justice work we do at OVM.
OVM staff volunteered at The ROCK: Reentry Conference of Kansas last week, learning from formerly incarcerated individuals and service providers. Though the future of our work in this area is uncertain, we're committed to supporting citizens' reintegration into society after prison. #reentryreframed
September 2, 2025 at 3:54 PM
OVM staff volunteered at The ROCK: Reentry Conference of Kansas last week, learning from formerly incarcerated individuals and service providers. Though the future of our work in this area is uncertain, we're committed to supporting citizens' reintegration into society after prison. #reentryreframed