BRYAN, Texas — B.C.M.A. stands for Breaking Chains Making Amends. Vernom Pittman, a Bryan native and former prison warden, said it was 'a God movement' that inspired him to create B.C.M.A. The purpose of the organization is to create a transitional facility for those who have been recently incarcerated. Yet Pitman explained how it's grown into a scholarship fund for inmates' children and grandchildren.
"Well now we help inmates' children not only with scholarship, but we have a financial literacy component where we help the fathers who have been incarcerated," Pittman explained.
On Saturday night at 6 p.m., the organization will host its first-ever fundraising gala at the Brazos Center in Bryan. The purpose of the gala is to raise funds to help men and women who have been jailed before find employment and housing and reduce the chances of them ending up in incarceration again.
"When somebody recidivates that means they go back into prison after being released. When they recidivate there's at least six new crime victims that are a part of that process, that go back into prison, so we're hoping to cut that number down with this facility," Pittman said.
Pittman, a Bryan native and proud Texas A&M University graduate shared how he's happy to be giving back to his community in this way, starting with Saturday's gala.
"Certainly it's true to my heart, it's dear to my heart to be able to do something in the community where I grew up at."
Single tickets are $75 and for couples you can expect to pay $125. Tickets can be purchased at the door. They welcome all in the Brazos Valley to come and show their support. Six News reporter Sara Wilson will also be emceeing this event so you won't want to miss it.
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