A Story of Accomplishment – By Cassandra Kuhr

BTI President, Doug Dalton presenting Cassandra Kuhr her diploma

Adults in custody (AIC) at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) have an opportunity to learn a new trade skill for jobs post-incarceration.

The Department of Corrections (DOC) recently received a three-year grant through the Bureau of Justice Assistance Second Chance Act. This grant allows DOC to offer an industry recognized certification program through Baker Technical Institute (BTI) for AICs to become Heavy Equipment Operators. The new program uses simulation technology to train women at the correctional facility to use heavy construction machinery.

The AICs will also be trained on First Aid and CPR, Flagger Certification, and Forklift Certification. Wraparound services are also included, such as resume writing, job search assistance, and connections to WorkSource Oregon.

Cassandra Kuhr is one of the adults in custody that graduated from the program, and she has graciously shared her story.

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Coffee Creek AICs Make History Earning Distinguished Toastmasters Award

Two women housed at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) have become the only two incarcerated women in the nation to earn the Distinguished Toastmasters Award. This is the highest individual honor you can achieve in Pathways, Toastmasters’ education program. For both Angela Kim and Carolyn Exum, this distinction was over seven years in the making, so we asked them to reflect on the experience in their own words. Read their stories below.

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Coffee Creek and OCE Recognize Another Outstanding DMV Agent

Adult in Custody Desserrey Cheney poses with her award certificate

This quarter’s STAR award, given to a Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) DMV agent for outstanding work at the call center, was presented to Desserrey Cheney. Cheney is an adult in custody (AIC) at Coffee Creek, and her role as a DMV call center agent is made possible by the Oregon Department of Correction’s (DOC) partnership with Oregon Corrections Enterprises.

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Coffee Creek’s Life-changing Cosmetology Program

Coffee Creek Correctional Facility’s (CCCF) cosmetology program is about more than manicures and dye jobs. For many of the women incarcerated at CCCF, the program is the first step in making a better life for themselves. Whether they are training in the Hair Design program or having tattoos removed that remind them of a painful past, the program offers hope for a brighter future.

The messages below were submitted by three adults in custody (AICs) at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility who have experience with the cosmetology program. They have been edited for clarity by the Oregon DOC Office of Communications.

AIC Sarah Erickson, Advanced Aesthetics student

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Coffee Creek DMV Agents Express Themselves Through Art

Two of the artists pose with one of the DMV call center murals

This article was written by agents at the Customer Assistance Call Center located at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) and modified for the DOC blog. The agents, who are all incarcerated at Coffee Creek, hope there is a shared enjoyment when reading about their journey and the artwork it produced.

The journey of the murals began when the DMV Coffee Creek Call Center (CCCC) was preparing to celebrate 30 years of success as part of the Customer Assistance team. The team floated many ideas for the theme and decorations, but ultimately the final decision was made by vote. The result: a bridge, linking CCCC with the larger DMV operations and the slogan, “Driving the bridge to success for 30 years.” Spanning the bridge is a vehicle for every CCCC agent, with salmon swimming in the river below. Decorated with paper, colored pencils, crayola markers, kindergarten scissors, and tape, this became the team’s first mural, and remained up (with facility approval) for an entire year.

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Coffee Creek Hosts Carnival Celebrating Family Bonds

This July, Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) held its 17th annual Through a Child’s Eyes (TACE) carnival event. TACE events allow adults in custody (AICs) to invite their children–and now grandchildren–for a day of fun and family connection. The event is sponspored by the Wilsonville Rotary Club and included face painting, balloons, tasty food, and all sorts of games and activities. The puppies from CCCF’s Puppy Program even attended the event, and kids who attended got to practice brushing puppy teeth! What a unique opportunity!

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Coffee Creek and OCE Recognize Outstanding Agent

On June 12, adult in custody (AIC) Niya Sosa-Martinez received the STAR award for her outstanding work at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility’s (CCCF) DMV call center. The STAR (Star to Agent Recognition) award is given quarterly to an AIC who demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills, leadership, and initiative; and goes above and beyond the standard. AIC Sosa-Martinez was nominated and voted on by her peers, other phone agents at the DMV call center, and enjoyed a commendation and luncheon with Superintendent Paula Myers, Section Manager Connie Crapser, and Center Manager Tammy Matthews.

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