Made Free Ministries

Made Free Ministries

 

Concept Narrative for 2009

 

Proposal: Community Services and Programs

 

 

Introduction:

Recidivism is the reoccurrence of criminal behavior by offenders after intervention by the criminal justice system.  Studies of criminal behavior consistently show that many offenders return to crime after arrests, convictions, punishments, and correctional program participation.

The return of an ex-offender to prison makes recidivism an important part of public policy and has a substantial negative impact on our communities, both economically and socially.

 

Concept Narrative:

By providing a network of Residential Housing and Programs designed to re-integrate ex-offenders ('Clients'), and their families back into mainstream society, a significant reduction in recidivism is attainable.

Collateral benefit would include, but not be limited to:

a) The unburdening of Taxpayers

Through the reduction and eventual elimination of Public Assistance for ex-offenders and their families;

b) A positive increase in the value and status of life for all within the communities we serve.

Through the careful planning, development, and implementation of programs designed to address the challenges faced by ex-offenders and their families upon release from incarceration, recidivism will reduce.

 

1) The needs that our program will address:

Made Free Ministries and Made Free Community Liaison Office: committed to strengthening our community through its faith-based program, incorporating Christian-based recovery and support groups, substance abuse and individual counseling, mentoring, housing, job training, and other comprehensive transitional services.  This ministry seeks to reduce recidivism by assessing ex-offenders, upon their release from custody, and provide them with a plan geared towards their individual needs as they pursue successful re-integration.  This plan will include the reunification of families disrupted by the ex-offender's incarceration as part of an effort to increase the positive value and status of life for all in their respective communities.  Within the local areas served through this initiative, we will provide comprehensive and coordinated services to the ex-offender in the following areas: Housing, Employment, Educational/Vocational Aptitude and Placement, Legal and Financial Services, Social Services, Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Medical Services.

 

2) Strategies to address said needs:

The project will promote the collaboration and growth of relationships with faith-based community organizations (F.B.C.O.’s), state and local government agencies, substance abuse treatment organizations and the business sector, to name a few.  The project will require paid and volunteer workers, a mentoring supervisor and personnel, job developers, drivers, administrative personnel and assistants.  The project will provide comprehensive services including assessment, housing, substance abuse counseling, mental health treatment referrals, social services, education, employment, and mentoring.  The project will also seek to include a try-out employment fund to pay for the ex-offenders' first month of employment as an incentive for local employers to hire ex-offenders.

 

3) Targeted populations:

Individuals 18 years old and older, who, convicted as adults and imprisoned pursuant to an Act of Congress or a State law, will be the target.  Individuals are to enroll in the program within 30 days after their release from prison or treatment center.  Services provided will include those individuals who are currently residing in a halfway house since their release from prison or treatment program.  Our networking relationships within the Department of Corrections, individual client's Probation and Parole Officer, TBCCC, local treatment centers, or through the P.E.R.C.S. referral system will be the sources utilized in acquiring our program participants

 

4) Targeted goals:

Employment: Employment is a critical stabilizing factor for ex-offenders and this initiative will stress job placement, job retention, and increasing the earnings potential of released prisoners.  We will assist in securing job training and job placement services in coordination with local businesses, local One-Stop Career Centers, educational institutions, and other employment providers.  Collaborating community organizations will provide each program participant with work-readiness, soft skills training, mentoring, job placement, and post-placement support.  Educational services and hard-skills training are obtainable through vocational training, OJT, or other community programs

 

Housing: Adequate housing for ex-offenders is an important component of successful reentry; therefore, this initiative will stress both satisfactory transitional housing through New Faith House and the successful movement from transitional to permanent, independent living situations.  We will partnership with those local State and Federal Government agencies, (in an attempt to assist in the successful reunion of families), that will provide the same services afforded to ex-offenders, making available all pertinent information that will assist in the acquisition of homes for said families.  In addition to New Faith House for men, we will seek to open female-only housing in an effort to encourage the success of the female ex-offender.  New Faith House(s) will seek to become a refuge; a place of stability, security, and support, that is vital to obtaining the peace of mind necessary to allow for personal growth, family stability, and economic achievement.

 

Education: Education is the vital link between the desire to achieve and the actual fulfillment of that desire.  Our liaison Office will seek to co-ordinate with the Department of Education in their respective communities along with Federal and State agencies to assist in the provision of the following services: information, referrals, and placement for GED preparation and testing, Vocational Rehabilitation, Vocational and Technical training, and in obtaining entrance into local colleges.  This assistance will be broad in range and will include mentoring and monitoring the client through all phases of the clients' educational pursuits.  Mentors will provide the emotional support necessary to address any fears or concerns the client may have and to validate all their successes in meeting their goals.

 

Social Services: The inability to access the various social programs available to assist those transitioning from prison or recovery treatment centers has been a problem for too long.  Through the liaison office, referrals for food stamps, medical care, mental health services, legal assistance, (including child support and driver's license issues), substance abuse treatment programs, and other counseling, are on an individual needs basis, as will follow-up to insure their success in obtaining said services.

 

Substance Abuse: Recidivism due to substance abuse is an issue that is close to the hearts of many an ex-offender.  Providing access to information and by referring at-risk clients to counseling services prior to relapse, the potential for violating probation or committing new crimes would decrease.  The liaison officer would also provide the necessary contacts to place a client into detoxification centers for long-term treatment should relapse occur . Referrals and follow-up for local recovery support groups would be available.  New Faith House would also develop and implement Christian 12 step support groups and spiritual counseling.

 

5) Experience with this type of program and with the populations we seek to serve:

New Faith House developed from a desire by the founder to promote the successful re-entry of ex-offenders into mainstream society as well as meet the spiritual needs of people suffering from the seemingly endless challenges faced upon release from the custody of a Federal and /or State facility.  Initially, was to circumvent the negative, anti-Christian perspective that secular 12-step and other similar recovery groups frequently offer and encourage.  Now, we believe that faith is as essential to a Holistic recovery and reentry, as is the providing of tangible needs.

New Faith House intends to be an on-going ministry that offers encouragement and support while enhancing the lives of all who participate in its various programs.  We seek to offer encouragement, support, and information designed to confront, challenge, and change ones' perspective into one of hope and possibility.

New Faith House seeks to serve those residing in correctional and/or treatment centers, also those seeking assistance that currently live independently within the local communities.

 

 

 

6) Expected outcomes; Changes expected:

 

Employment Rate: 80% (80) will obtain employment

 

Retention Rate: 70% (56) will retain employment

 

Earnings Change: 20% (11) will report wage increase

 

Recidivism Rate: decreased beyond current

 

Other: 90% (90) of our participants will work with mentors

 

Geographic Area Served: the entire central Florida area

 

7) Collaborating organizations and/or those planning to collaborate:

Made Free Ministries and New Faith Free Methodist Church

Allegany Franciscan Ministries

Local Faith-based Community Organizations (F.B.C.O.’s) and Churches

Pinellas Ex-offender Reentry Coalition (PERCS)

Tampa Bay Community Corrections Centers (TBCCC)

Florida D.O.C. Probation and Parole

Local Substance Abuse Treatment Centers

Local Halfway and Recovery Houses

Local businesses and concerned citizens within the community

Clearwater Christian College

 

 

Note: This plan is long-term and will require achieving many short-term objectives along the way.  A couple of the immediate goals are:

1. A second 501( c )3 for ‘Made Free Community Services’
2. Obtaining $50,000.00 - $150,000.00 grant(s) or other funding source (in process)

 

For His Kingdom,

 

Rev. Edward V. March, Director