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Background information
The board of Tri-State Men's Center is searching for individuals who will serve as volunteers and mentors for Brother's Keeper program.
We are also seeking persons willing to serve on our board of directors. We are seeking Christian individuals who have a desire to bring Christ to those Returning Citizens in need of help on their Road to Recovery.
The Need for our Project -
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 600,000 prisoners are released each year in the U.S. This poses many challenges to communities, including public safety concerns, and limited availability of jobs, housing, and social services for the returning prisoners. “Today's intense cycle of arrest, removal, incarceration, and reentry—at levels four times higher than 20 years ago—has had profound consequences for our community. Nearly 650,000 people are released from state and federal prison yearly and arrive on the doorsteps of communities nationwide. A far greater number reenter communities from local jails, and for many offenders and /defendants, this may occur multiple times in a year.” According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) over 50 percent of those released from prison will find their way back into legal trouble within three years.
According to the Indiana Department of Corrections, the number of people in the Indiana prison system grew from 68,599 in 2003 to 77,316 in 2006. That’s an increase of more than 12% in the prison population in three years. In 2006, approximately 26,500 inmates were released from Indiana prisons. At the Branchville Correctional Facility in Branchville, IN nearly 75 inmates are released each month, and the recidivism rate is currently 38%. Prisoner reentry initiatives are gaining momentum and the gravity of this issue is commanding the attention of community leaders at local, state, and Federal levels. (Source: U.S. Department of Justice)
Reason the Problem Exists - A prisoner’s scenario– The day of his release has finally come. After living a highly structured and regimented life behind bars, he anxiously anticipates his freedom. However, his excitement is over-shadowed with fear and doubt of what lies ahead. He has been given $75, some street clothes, and a bus ticket. Having spent the last several years behind bars, this man has no network of support, and no foundation upon which to stand and begin building a new life. Do you see the problem? Feeling unaccepted and uncertain of where to turn for help, he chooses survival through the only lifestyle he’s ever really known…a life of crime. This scenario plays out thousands of times each year in the lives of newly released inmates, creating a perpetual cycle of crime and imprisonment.
Other Proven Efforts/ Intended Results / Defining Success - In 2003, the Department of Labor Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiative launched Ready4Work, a three-year pilot program to address the needs of ex-prisoners. The program emphasized employment training and other transitional services to help prepare ex-offenders for successful reentry. “A total of 4,482 formerly incarcerated individuals enrolled in Ready4Work. Of these participants, 97 percent received comprehensive case management services, 86 percent received employment services and 63 percent received mentoring services. Ready4Work sites placed 2,543 participants (57 percent) into jobs, with 63 percent of those placed retaining their job for three consecutive months after placement. Ready4Work recidivism rates are half the national re-incarceration rate at six-months and 44 percent lower than the national rate of re-incarceration one-year after release.” (Source: U.S. Department of Labor Center for Faith-Based & Community Initiatives.) The intended result for our program is for these men to become well-equipped to successfully put their criminal past behind them and become productive community members, good husbands, involved fathers, valued employees, and committed volunteers. The success of the Brother’s Keeper Program will be determined by tracking progress toward stated goals and objectives.
Collaboration – We partner with several agencies and individuals such as Branchville Correctional Facility (mentoring and program referrals), Sheriff’s Department of Vanderburgh County (program referrals, shared resources), Vanderburgh County Jail (mentoring, program referrals), Teen Challenge of Indiana (program referrals), Judges and probation officers (program referrals), Prison Fellowship (program referrals, shared resources), Vanderburgh County Council (community advocates) and several area churches (financial support and shared resources). Further, we have a strong relationship with Churches Embracing Offenders.
Other Funding Sources - We have received funding for the Brother’s Keeper Program from the Vanderburgh Community Foundation, TMMI, and the Koch Foundation. These gifts will support our renovation and refurbishment of our facility, and the purchase of household furniture, linens, and supplies that are not donated. As we move forward with our program, we will continue to seek and build diversified community partnerships to include local corporations/foundations, businesses, individuals, and churches.
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Please take a look at the promotional video on the link at the top of this page.
Individuals can make contributions on-Line through the GUIDESTAR link on the Home page.
If you would like representatives of Tri-state Men's Center to make a presentation at you church or organization, contact Bob Collins for an appointment.
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Past activities of Tri-State Men's Center, Inc. :
April 2009 -- Board of TMC enters into a lease of property at 114 W. Illinois St to be developed into a Brother's Keeper residence.
November 2006 -- The first vision statement for a new ministry called "Brother's Keeper" was written by the board.
2006 - Men’s Ministry Tune-Up to help men succeed in descipling men. We used a bible study led by Pat Morley of Man-in-the-Mirror.
October 29-30, 2004 Brave, Strong,Tender Conference with Phil Downer. Phil's web page DNAMinistries.
May 22, 2004 Freshword Ministries: Men of Integrity Conference
April 3, 2004
Men's Night Out: watching NCAA Final Four at Christian Development Center -
with food and then worship led by Mercy's Door !!
NOV. 8, 2003
May 16 & 17, 2003
At the Alter of Sexual Idolatry;
APRIL 5, 2003 VICTORY THEATRE
Restoring Our Heritage
William Federer -Erin Moss - Miss Michigan 2002
January 8, 2003 -- Tri-State Men's Center incorporated as a 501.(c)(3) organization.
Sept. 28, 2002 -
The Marriage Alive Seminar Sponsored by Community Marriage Builders
Bethel Temple Community Church.
September 2001 - Great Dads Seminar at Christian Fellowship Church .
Fall 2000,
Dave Putman, from the Indiana Men of Integrity shared a vision of the Promise Keeper's move from stadium EVENTS to a MINISTRY as a servant Church. Men meeting the needs of Men in this community.
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