|
  
Many of you have
asked us “What is a Faith-Based Dorm?” We’d like to take this opportunity to
tell you about our experiences working the programs at both Gadsden
Correctional Facility and Wakulla Correctional Institution.
A Faith-Based dormitory is a 12-month volunteer program that seeks to unite
corrections and the faith community to effect an inner transformation of
inmates. The purpose of the program is to assist inmates in areas such as anger
management, parenting skills, financial accountability and counseling for drug
and alcohol problems form a spiritual perspective. The goal of this pre-release
program is to reduce the occurrence of recidivism. Inmates involved in this
program live together and are housed in an open dormitory. The dorm is
configured to provide for space for programming within the dormitory. There are
64 participants per dorm. Bunk beds are placed against the wall in groups of
eight, called “pods”. This is the inmates small group for the year affording
him an opportunity to develop positive long-term in-depth relationships. The
inmates attend religious services on a regular basis and a mandatory daily
devotional time.
 
Dan and Marilyn were
the outside programming coordinators for the faith-based dorm at Wakulla C.I.,
which opened in April of 2002. They still are coordinating the mentoring
program that matches up men and women from faith community at large with a
member of the program on the "inside" of the correctional facility. The
key to the success of this residential faith based program is the commitment of
numerous qualified volunteers. While the remodeling of two existing dorms was
taking place on the inside months of preparation for programming was taking
place on the outside. Recruiting instructors, making time lines, scheduling and
training of volunteers were all part of the planning process for an informative,
challenging and inspirational program that blesses both the inmate and the
volunteer. There are approximately 130 inmates and 0ver 60 volunteers involved
in the program.
 
One of the most
rewarding features of the faith-based curriculum is the mentoring program.
Twice a month volunteers representing various churches in the surrounding
communities meet at Wakulla C.I. and sit down one-on-one with an inmate to help
him grow spiritually, socially, with decision-making, goal setting, family
relationships and release issues. They give a listening ear and offer words of
wisdom from their own experiences and from scripture. These visits into the dorm
are invaluable in building a sense of community and affords the inmate an
opportunity for frank, honest discussions with someone who cares.
 
Likewise, in the
faith-based dorm at Gadsden Correctional Facility, we meet every Monday with
female inmates to teach a Bible study called “The Basic Life Principals.” This
in-depth study addresses universal, non-optional principals of life that help
them to gain self-acceptance, inward peace, a clear conscience, genuine joy,
security, moral purity and God’s direction for daily decisions. When inmates
learn and accept what God’s will and purpose is for their lives it begins to
change them from the inside out and gives them, for the first time, the desire
and power to do what is right. There are approximately 50 women involved in the
program.
 
We are grateful that
both our President and our Governor promote Faith-Based initiatives. It’s
exciting to be involved in an outreach ministry where we can see positive
results and changed lives. We’re also thankful for you, our ministry partners,
that have sustained us with your precious prayers and financial support. You
are a tremendous encouragement to us and we want you to know that you are loved
and appreciated for your invaluable contributions to our work.
| 
