CCWF hosts new prayer club
Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) held its first mom’s prayer circle on Aug. 11, 2025, in B-side Visiting. This intimate event included approximately 20 incarcerated individuals along with four volunteers.
The idea for Moms in Prayer International to come to CCWF was born after one of their church members, Ana, who happens to be a correctional officer in CCWF, suggested to the leaders that it would be extremely beneficial to the women in CCWF, where most of the population are mothers separated from their children.
Fern Nichols, the founder of Moms In Prayer International, was present in spirit along with her book “Standing in the Gap for Your Children” and four volunteers.
The volunteers wore matching black shirts with the Moms in Prayer International logo displayed on the front. The group also had matching attitudes of joy, peace, kindness and love. They all shared that they have been with this ministry for decades and it has given them hope and inner peace.
Excitement and anticipation filled the air as people greeted each other with smiles, gratitude, and open hearts. The room became quiet after the volunteers and participants sat down and an introduction of all involved began.
After a brief history of the organization, the group broke into two circles and began practicing the four steps of prayer, which include God’s purpose, the problem, God’s remedy, and our response.
CCWF resident Kimberly Vega said she “wasn’t expecting for the day to be as uplifting as it was.”
“It was amazing; I felt encouraged, loved, and lifted up in prayer,” Vega said. “I prayed for my children and all of us in prison separated from our loved ones.”
Participant Heather Armstrong shared that her son is going through struggles, and she can’t be there with him to guide and support him.
“God will keep him safe; I believe that,” Armstrong said. “This prayer circle is powerful, and it gave me the peace in my heart to know my prayer is heard.”
Diana Shemyakina shared that she had signed up for the circle because she is a believer, and she feels powerless over what is going on in her daughter’s life.
“I need prayer,” Shemyakina said. “Today it was moving. I felt God was with us today as we came together.”
