Today I want to introduce you to a new program at the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office that will be coordinated by Zoë Renfro in an unpaid, part-time capacity.

This is the Volunteer Community Service Coordinator program.  I believe Zoe is exceptionally qualified to be in this position where she will bridge the gap between people in the community with specific needs and those agencies and services who have the resources to meet their needs.

It is not my intent to duplicate any existing social service that is currently provided in Bradley County.  We are blessed to have social service providers who work through the United Way, outreach ministries sponsored by a number of our churches, and civic organizations which have the resources to provide for the less fortunate.  Law enforcement in its role as a frontline service provider is often the first to identify people with specific needs.  It may be clothing, a financial need, or assistance finding suitable housing.  With this program, our deputies are now able to refer these people to the Volunteer Community Service Coordinator and she will work to link them with two or three providers for the type of assistance they need.     

        I became acquainted with Zoe during my campaign and I am convinced that she is the right person for this position.  Many of you may know about the Renfro’s work in ministry that prompted their move from Texas to Tennessee. What you may not know is that she was affiliated with the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office in west Tennessee where she organized and supervised their chaplains program until the ministry brought them to Cleveland approximately four years ago.   

        Zoe currently serves as the adult education coordinator for the Bradley County School System.  She is also involved in the adult GED program that encourages inmates in the Bradley County jail who dropped out of school before they received a high school
diploma to work toward getting their GED.   

        She and I have talked at length about the Community Services Coordinator position and share a vision of being able to help people in the community and those released from jail with no family support system who will need outside help to succeed on their own.  Without this assistance many of these individuals commit other crimes and return to jail.  This position should help to reduce crime and the recidivism rate in Bradley County.

        In addition Zoe is helping to develop an outside chaplain’s program for the sheriff’s office.  While all of the details of how the program will be structured haven’t been finalized, our deputies from time to time have contact with people at major crime scenes and other incidents who need spiritual guidance. The outside chaplain’s program will serve as a valuable resource in these situations.

        Herb Conley continues to coordinate the internal jail ministry program for inmates and does an excellent job.

         Zoe Renfro can be contacted by calling our main number, 728-7300, and ask for the Community Service Coordinator.