Detention volunteer brings a message of hope

SALT LAKE CITY — "The most important thing we can do for the incarcerated youth is give them a message of hope and tell them God is for them not against them," said Theresa Albright.

Albright was honored with the Volunteer of the Year Award by the Catholic Ministry for the Incarcerated Adults and Youth at an awards banquet in February.

Six years ago, Jan. 28 was designated as Father Thomas Kaiser Day to show appreciation and recognition to him for his work in prison and detention ministry. The banquet is held every year close to that day.

Illa Wright said, "Volunteering is an answer to God’s call." Wright, a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, West Valley City, has coordinated the volunteers for about 30 years.

"We are called to a life of service," said Wright. "Theresa is a very spiritual person who relates well with the youth. When she prays the Lord’s Prayer, she really offers it up and has the kids on their feet."

Albright said in 1994, she was in a Bible study group with Jackie Carson, a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, and she asked her if she would ever consider going to the Salt Lake County Youth Detention Center as a volunteer.

"I told her I would, and I have loved it ever since," said Albright. "Carson, who has since moved to California, and I would volunteer together. I would give them a message in the chapel, and then she would take the Hispanic youth aside and talk with them in Spanish."

Albright said the center is now called Cornell Corrections, Inc., and it is located on 3450 South 900 West, West Valley City.

"I volunteer once a month and speak to young men who are under the age of 18," said Albright. "They are divided into two groups: one is for those with lesser offenses or misdemeanors, and the other is for those who have longer sentences and have committed more serious crimes and felonies."

Albright attends the Mountain View Assembly of God Church, but was raised Catholic. She has a love for her early days as a Catholic and the Catholic teachings. In her ministry, she follows the guidelines established by the Catholic Church.

"I tell them God has specific plans for them according to Jeremiah 29:11, ‘For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe!’ I tell them God has sent the Holy Spirit to help keep them on the right track. We try to keep the message simple because those who have committed lesser crimes are not incarcerated for very long. The main message we try to convey is that they do not have to stay in this situation. The number of individuals in this group can be as many as 45.

"The message we give the older youth and those who are in detention for longer periods of time, is much more personal," said Albright. "This is a smaller group of about five or six. We minister to them to help them think differently. We try to help them understand their behavior began initially because of the way they were thinking. If they want to stop the behavior, they have to change the way they think."

Albright said she brings other volunteers with her to help her minister to the youth with music by singing and playing the piano and the guitar.

"I also invited a wonderful married couple to join me, who really know how to reach the hearts of these young people," said Albright. "They have a desire to see these youth get their lives going in the right direction.

"I have been so blessed with Illa because she has allowed me to minister and I really enjoy it," said Albright. "I say, No Satan, you cannot have our young people. God created each of them with a purpose. In 1Cor 13:8, it says that ‘Love never fails.’

"God’s love never fails," said Albright. "We want the youth to understand they must take responsibility for what they have done and there are consequences, but God’s love is merciful."

Albright says she often sees youth who return to detention, and when she asks them if they need prayers, they always say, "Yes."

"We met with the youth on Mother’s Day and gave them an opportunity to pray for their mothers," said Albright. "It was heart warming to see tears in their eyes as they prayed for their mothers."