Re-Entry Programs

Every day citizens are returning from incarceration to our communities and our churches. Based on data from the IN Department of Workforce Development, every year more than 20,000 inmates are released. They face many obstacles and barriers as they try to reintegrate into society.  It is common experience to have basic needs such as housing, food, clothing, employment, and healthcare go unmet. The success – or lack of success – of their reentry is critical for their well-being and that of the community to which they return. Parishes can help these men and women by welcoming them and providing for material, spiritual, and emotional assistance.

 Below are ways you or your parish can support citizens in re-entry.

Churches Embracing Offenders

Text Box: CEO is dedicated to ministering to the spiritual, physical, emotional, and social needs of non-violent offenders living in and returning to the community. Through strong partnerships with families, communities, churches and the legal system, CEO provides offenders the support and resources needed to break the cycle of returning to crime and ultimately to incarceration. A study conducted by USI in 2011 indicated that only 12.5% of those who graduated from the CEO program have been re-arrested since 2000.

Address: 119 N. Morton Ave, Evansville, IN 47711

Phone: 812-422-2226

Trusted Mentors

Trusted Mentors uses the power of mentoring to help adults establish stable lives by reducing the chaos brought about by poverty, homelessness, under-employment and the effects of incarceration. The person-to-person mentoring relationships improve lives by developing life skills and positive social networks that enable people to remain housed, make positive contributions to their community, advance their education, stay out of jail, remain employed, and improve their parenting skills. They provide quality training for volunteers, match adults referred by partnering agencies with trained mentors; and supply ongoing information, guidance, and activities. Data indicate that while working with a Trusted Mentor, 90% did not re-offend, and 96% of young adults remained housed.

Text Box: Web: www.trustedmentors.org

Address: 325 S. College Ave. Indpls (temporary)

Phone: 317-985-5041


Getting Ahead While Getting Out

This workbook program is for people being released from prison in 18 to 24 months. Participants, called investigators, learn new information, skills, and ways of thinking. There are no “teachers” in this model: Everyone is seen as a problem solver and co-creator. Topics build on each other and include the importance of language, the why and how of meaningful change, and a self-assessment of personal and community resources. In the final module, each investigator develops a 72-hour Stability Plan for reentry and an initial goal to build resources for a successful and stable future. Volunteers must participate in the Bridges Out of Poverty workshop, and utilize Getting Ahead While Getting Out workbook and user guides. Online training is available.

Text Box:

Getting Ahead Network

Phone: 800-424-9484

Web: ahaprocess.com

Indianapolis-area Programs

Wendy Braun: 317-372-7009

Mary Ruble: 765-748-5768

Bridges to Life

Bridges to Life brings healing to victims of crime, reduces recidivism among offender graduates of the program, and helps make the community a safer place. It has two main goals: 1) to reduce recidivism rates of the program graduates, thus making communities safer, and 2) to facilitate the healing process for victims and offenders. Over 28,000 offenders have graduated from BTL. They have worked in over 95 prisons and its curriculum has been used in 12 states and 4 countries. BTL is a nonprofit based in Houston, with programs. Currently offered in conjunction with Plainfield Correctional Facility, Indiana Women’s Prison, and Heritage Trail.

Text Box: Web: www.bridgestolife.org

Address: PO Box 570895, Houston, TX 77257

Phone: 713-463-7200

Indiana Contact: Misty Wallace

 

 

 

The Catholic Charities Crisis Office

Located in the Xavier Building at 1435 N. Illinois Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202.

Phone: 317-236-1435

Web: www.archindy.org/cc/indianapolis

The Crisis Office assists returning citizens and low income persons by providing access to our food pantry and clothing room. Assistance is given by linking clients with existing community resources and by providing direct assistance where gaps occur. Also available to clients are bus tickets, vouchers for gas, food and clothing.

The Crisis Office is open:

  • Monday
    • 1:00 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for food only; 
  • Tuesday
    • 10:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday
    • 10:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Thursday
    • 10:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Appointments are not necessary. However, the number of clients seen on any given day is limited.

If you are interested in learning more about any of these ministries contact:

Deacon John Cord, Coordinator of Corrections Ministries

Office of Human Life & Dignity
Pastoral Ministries Secretariat
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
jcord@archindy.org
317-592-4012

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