When men participate at the faith-based dorm operated by Dallas Leadership Foundation (DLF) at Hutchins State Jail, they learn one thing really fast.
The dorm volunteers intend to stand by them.
They’ll be there during Bible studies, and they’ll be there when participants face setback or success during their journey from prison to society. It's all part of the ongoing transformational leadership offered by the Church Prison Collaborative, the DLF initiative that oversees the faith-based dorm.
CPC is one of DLF's outreaches that will benefit from a generous match offered by an anonymous donor. During the month of August, every dollar donated to DLF will be matched up to $100,000.
About 80 volunteers support the faith-based dorm program led by James Reed, CPC’s director. CPC offers a pre- and post-entry program for participants.
“I want to thank God, Pastor Reed, and DLF for saving my life,” said Timothy Toole, a current participant in the faith-based dorm who also attended CPC's ninth anniversary celebration.
“I wouldn’t be here without the FBD,” said “Jacque,” who is among the faith-based dorm’s alumni and currently lives in DLF’s transitional facility, Onesimus House.
Displaying a solid commitment to the men is a key ingredient in CPC’s efforts. “It’s all about the continuity,” Reed said. “When all the dust settles, we’re still there. This shows the strength of the commitment to the participants -- that we’re just not going anywhere.”
Longtime volunteer Larry Land said of his years of volunteering at the dorm: "Spiritually uplifting. These are the bright lights that keep us going."
Men who complete the faith-based dorm program, and also those who attend only partially, have low recidivism rates that underscore the ongoing discipleship CPC offers. For instance, one year after completing the program, 93.3% of 250 participants did not return to jail, according to January 2014 figures provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Two years after completing the program, 84.1% did not recidivate, figures from the same time period show.
Even among men who had limited exposure to DLF’s faith-based dorm experienced low recidivism rates during the same time period. A year after release, 87.9% of 873 men had not returned to prison. Two years after release, 80.4% had stayed out of jail.
The program’s success is also clear to Fannell Smith. He was among the initial group of men who participated in the faith-based dorm.
"I see a lot of growth since I was here,” he said. “It was like 24 of us in the dorm when we started in 2007. There are so many more in the program now."
Support DLF's faith-based dorm by visiting http://www.dlftx.org/donations. You can also invite others to support Dallas Leadership Foundation by sharing our posts on your favorite social networks and using the hashtag #givetotransform!
The dorm volunteers intend to stand by them.
They’ll be there during Bible studies, and they’ll be there when participants face setback or success during their journey from prison to society. It's all part of the ongoing transformational leadership offered by the Church Prison Collaborative, the DLF initiative that oversees the faith-based dorm.
CPC is one of DLF's outreaches that will benefit from a generous match offered by an anonymous donor. During the month of August, every dollar donated to DLF will be matched up to $100,000.
About 80 volunteers support the faith-based dorm program led by James Reed, CPC’s director. CPC offers a pre- and post-entry program for participants.
“I want to thank God, Pastor Reed, and DLF for saving my life,” said Timothy Toole, a current participant in the faith-based dorm who also attended CPC's ninth anniversary celebration.
“I wouldn’t be here without the FBD,” said “Jacque,” who is among the faith-based dorm’s alumni and currently lives in DLF’s transitional facility, Onesimus House.
Displaying a solid commitment to the men is a key ingredient in CPC’s efforts. “It’s all about the continuity,” Reed said. “When all the dust settles, we’re still there. This shows the strength of the commitment to the participants -- that we’re just not going anywhere.”
Longtime volunteer Larry Land said of his years of volunteering at the dorm: "Spiritually uplifting. These are the bright lights that keep us going."
Men who complete the faith-based dorm program, and also those who attend only partially, have low recidivism rates that underscore the ongoing discipleship CPC offers. For instance, one year after completing the program, 93.3% of 250 participants did not return to jail, according to January 2014 figures provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Two years after completing the program, 84.1% did not recidivate, figures from the same time period show.
Even among men who had limited exposure to DLF’s faith-based dorm experienced low recidivism rates during the same time period. A year after release, 87.9% of 873 men had not returned to prison. Two years after release, 80.4% had stayed out of jail.
The program’s success is also clear to Fannell Smith. He was among the initial group of men who participated in the faith-based dorm.
"I see a lot of growth since I was here,” he said. “It was like 24 of us in the dorm when we started in 2007. There are so many more in the program now."
Support DLF's faith-based dorm by visiting http://www.dlftx.org/donations. You can also invite others to support Dallas Leadership Foundation by sharing our posts on your favorite social networks and using the hashtag #givetotransform!
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