DLF to the men at Hutchins State Jail: We'll be there

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!

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Can your financial gift help Dallas Leadership Foundation (DLF) transform Dallas? Absolutely. For 20 years, supporters like you have helped us develop leaders for ongoing and tangible community transformation. Your gifts have enabled DLF to partner with extraordinary leaders who serve proactively in ways that bring glory to Jesus Christ and benefit their neighbors.

We hope you’ll give again. An anonymous donor has expressed support for DLF by pledging to match every dollar donated up to $100,000 during the month of August. What a blessing! It's an amazing chance to expand our reach among families, schools, neighborhoods and prisons. Help us multiply this anonymous gift by making a generous donation today that helps us do more in the decades to come.

Invite others to support Dallas Leadership Foundation by sharing our posts on your favorite social networks and using the hashtag #givetotransform! 

A Transforming Effect

Can you find worshippers at a cleanup?

Yes, you can.

Helping residents in Dallas neighborhoods can be an act of worship observed Dr. Michael Bowie, Jr., pastor of St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church in the Owenwood neighborhood. Owenwood is one of six areas Dallas Leadership Foundation (DLF) targeted for its Celebration of Hope workday activities on Saturday. 

“We feel that God has called us to be an extension of what the church is on the inside,” Bowie said. He explained that worship in Greek means leitourgia and means “the work of the people.”

“And we’re called to ‘worship’ out here in our community, to clean it up, to bring help, hope and healing for those who need it the most. If we don’t do it, who will?”

As he spoke, volunteers cleared an alley cluttered by weeds. Men, women, young and old came out to volunteer. The transforming effect of the workdays, the pastor said, is a deepening of neighborhood ties.  

“It shows ownership. It builds one’s esteem, and I think it also brings a sense of pride to our community,” Bowie said. “I think what happens is, it allows people to not only manicure their lawns, but it also builds relationships, and it brings restoration to the community.”

Mill City

Crews from religious groups, Home Depot, and Sherman Williams painted Natiuidad Garcia’s house in Dallas’ Mill City neighborhood. Garcia worked right alongside them to paint her home where she lives with her husband and two sons.

“I’m so happy,” said Garcia, stopping to paint for a moment. “And my house is now beautiful. Thank you, everybody. Thank you, Dallas Leadership Foundation.”

Jubilee Park

Alexis Juarez stood on the sidelines as volunteers registered for Celebration of Hope’s workday.  Why had he decided to help out? “I’m trying to finish my high school hours,” said Alexis Juarez quietly.

But were there other reasons? “My mother likes to volunteer,” Alexis said. 

Asked about his favorite memories of his mother volunteering, he said his memories were here, in Jubilee Park. So how did he feel following in the family tradition of volunteering?

 “It’s great,” said Alexis. “You’re helping out your own neighborhood. There’s really no reason not to volunteer.”

Before the volunteers started the workday, they held hands for the “Circle Up” prayer time. The moments of encouragement and prayer were led by James Reed, director of DLF’s Church Prison Collaborative. 

“We as believers, as Christians, we can make sure that we become what we call the light and the salt in that community,” said James Reed, who led the Circle Up. Reed directs DLF’s Church Prison Collaborative.

“So we want to be encouraged in knowing … when we walk away, the greatest thing we want to take away today is that we want to put a smile on that person who owns that home. We want to put a smile on their heart.”

Joining the “Circle Up” was Cathy Rodriguez, a member of Skillman Church of Christ. She has volunteered for three consecutive years at Celebration of Hope and also served at the Treasures of Hope Christmas Store. Helping others is a joy for her, she said. 

It’s extra special when she volunteers close to home. “I love it because I get to meet the people in the neighborhood,” said Rodriguez, who moved to Jubilee Park about two years ago. “I get to interact with them, and I get to know them on a personal level. And it blesses me to bless them and to see the looks on their face when they see everybody (volunteers) walk up to help them. 

“Not only that, whenever we get in conservations about each other and spend that fellowship with one another, that’s when I get blessed the most because we all get to know each other really well,” she said. “Also, we get to pray together when we eat, so that’s awesome too!”