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FASTEN Newsletter - October 2005

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Oct, 2005

New Topic Launched: Ex-Offender Reentry Programs

 

Nationwide, roughly two-third of prisoners who are released will end up back behind bars. This problematic recidivism rate speaks volumes about the need for effective ex-offender re-entry programs that can help prisoners integrate successfully into mainstream society.

 

FASTEN’s newest resource topic can help. Our ex-offender reentry department contains 80 practical, informative resources that can help practitioners:

 

  • Get oriented to the field of ex-offender reentry;
  • Start new programs in this field; and
  • Obtain manuals, curricula, tips and more on operating jobs, life skills, housing, mentoring, and substance abuse recovery programs for ex-offenders.

 

We have produced a new toolkit on Ex-offender Reentry Programs as well as new Fast Research Facts and a Best Practices Checklist related to this topic.

  

Upcoming Training Opportunities

 

Training Conference for Faith-based Ex-Offender Programs, Nashville, TN, Oct. 28-30. The Transition of Prisoners, Inc. and Christian Home Ministries present "Refreshing the Fire." Prison ministry and aftercare workers, leaders of community organizations and churches, caseworkers and counselors, families of prisoners and ex-prisoners, and ex-prisoners themselves are all invited to attend. 

 

Distance Learning Opportunity: Christian Community Economic Development. The Chalmers Center at Covenant College is now taking registration for its January-May 2006 distance learning courses. The strategies and programs offered are practical, church-centered, and community based.

2005 “It’s My Life Conference,” Baltimore, MD, November 14-15. The conference is based on It's My Life, a youth-centered framework designed to guide transition services for young people who "age out" of foster care and other substitute care.

 

 

 Practical Fundraising How-To Manual Now Updated

 


         Author Theresa Raducille has recently updated and revised her very useful guide, Raising Resources: A More-Than-Fundraising Workshop.  More than simply a grant-writing guide, this workbook seeks to help nonprofits develop a complete strategy of fundraising that involves personal giving, in-kind donations, private grants, and corporate sponsorship. Written as an interactive tutorial, the guide helps readers complete various exercises and worksheets that produce a fundraising plan.

 

One of the valuable features of the manual is its attention to the all-important issue of “making the ask.” Raducille helps nonprofit leaders prepare for a meeting with potential donors by directing solicitors’ attention to the many asked—and unasked—questions the potential giver is likely to have:

 

Why are you here?

How long will this take?

Is this really important?

How successful are you?

Who are you—do we have anything in common?

How much do you want from me?

How will you use my gift?

How do I know you will do what you say?

How can I make a difference as just one person?

Who that I know will know about my gift and thank me?

 

What did you do with my last gift?

Do you even know I’ve made a gift?

How efficient are you?

How do you achieve your mission?

Who else that I know supports you?

How much have they given?

Where are you from?

Where is your office? How many staff?

How will I be recognized for my gift?
 

          For further wisdom from Raducille, check out the rest of Raising Resources.

 

FASTEN
Sharing Knowledge, Strengthening Connections, Improving Outcomes

  • 2006 Partners in Transformation Contest Coming soon!

    Visit www.FASTENnetwork.org on November 1 for contest details and an application. This year’s competition will focus on three service arenas: Emergency Disaster Response, Community Recovery/Rebuilding, and Programs to Address Deep Pockets of Poverty. Over $60,000 in cash awards to be distributed!

  • Register Your FBO in the Center for Effective Compassion’s “Samaritan Guide”

    The Guide gives FBOs an excellent opportunity for exposure and has been created for use by national privately funded charities. 

Fundraising Tip

 

  • Unique visitors, repeat visitors, page views, hits – what does it all mean? With more and more FBOs developing websites and seeking to inform volunteers, participants, and potential donors about their activities through websites, it is important to understand how to evaluate your web traffic. This month’s technology tip, “Website Statistics: Making Sense,” shows you the way.

 

 

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