MERCY ROAD CHURCH:

Indiana Recovery & Faith Conference 2025

The second Indiana Recovery And Faith Conference, brought together churches, secular substance recovery providers, and state and federal leaders at Mercy Road Church in Carmel, Indiana to join in the shared mission of addressing how to help those with substance use and mental health disorders. Since 75% of those we engage with at 2nd Chance Indiana have either substance use disorders or a mental health issue, we are committed to helping this underserved population have access to transportation services and job acquisition.

2nd Chance Indiana's Jim Cotterill headed a breakout session, and our conference booth was "manned" by three staff members who answered questions and explained 2CI's services and the hope it brings to those who are making a better life for themselves and their families. 

The first Indiana Recovery and Faith Conference was in 2024 in West Lafayette, and like that conference, Mercy Road provided worship, information, and education about programs, services, and resources that are positively impacting communities across the state. Watch a video on the impact of drugs in one small Indiana town.

Pictured, 2nd Chance Indiana staff (LtoR) Stephanie Ross, Transportation Coordinator, Kendra Walker, Job Counselor, and Molly Oliver, Director of Employment Services.

HAMILTON COUNTY:

Job & Resource Fair Brings Hope & Help To Reentrants

This month, more than 20 employers and resource organizations were on hand at Hamilton County Jail's Job & Resource Fair. The event was organized like a meet & greet, with clients sitting down with each organization for five or six minutes, who then moved on to the next.

The program gave soon-to-be-released clients a lot of information in a short period of time and opened doors to the many opportunities available and offered free of charge to these valuable reentrants.

2nd Chance Indiana's Job Counselor, Kendra Walker, walked many through a job interview process and helped them to refine their responses when needed, and gave them 2nd Chance Indiana contact information and brochures for the day they are released. Pictured (LtoR) Kendra Walker, 2nd Chance Indiana Job Counselor; and Student Intern Camesia Davidson.

2ND CHANCE INDIANA PARTNER:

Trusted Mentors Throws A Fund-Raisin' Hoedown!



On a recent October evening in a gorgeous big barn, complete with chandeliers and live music, our partner, Trusted Mentors, held a cowboy-themed event complete with two-steppin' line-dancin' ribs and barbecue tastin' treats. A crowd of fans, mentors, and supporters gathered to hear the latest efforts in mentoring kids, reentrants, and adults who are so benefitted by the support of a mentor from this successful group. Trusted Mentors trains mentors and matches them to mentees. And, as so many say, the blessings are as great for the mentors as they are for mentees. The organization's new podcasts were a featured focus of the night.

Pictured: (LtoR) Nancy Cotterill, Ex. V.P. of 2nd Chance Indiana; Jim Cotterill, President, 2nd Chance Indiana; Lori Chambers, Social Action Coordinator for United Women in Faith; and Miranda Williams, Indiana State Organizer, Reform Alliance.

FSSA UPDATE:

Transportation Help On Track For Hoosier Reentrant Clients

Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration staff works diligently, to improve the lives of justice-involved people who need a hand up in the Hoosier State. They utilize data driven methods to deliver both improved financial and health solutions to our citizens, even as they guard expenditures. 2nd Chance Indiana's Jim Cotterill and Molly Oliver met with Recovery Works Program's Catrinka Prestly and Kenyetta Neal to go over results of efforts underway that help people get to work and plan for future programs to continue their efforts on behalf of those they serve.

Pictured, Bottom Row, (LtoR) Recovery Works Program Director Catrinka Prestly; Recovery Works Forensic Treatment Services Clinical Director Kenyetta Neal.Top Row, (LtoR) Jim Cotterill, 2nd Chance Indiana President; Molly Oliver, 2nd Chance Indiana's Director of Empoyment Services.

"LIKE WALKING OUT OF PRISON:"

No-Bars College Campus Inside Prison Walls?

The state of Michigan is pioneering a smart-on-crime policy by transforming an entire correctional building into a secure college campus, using $3.9 million approved by the state legislature. The money will convert an unused industrial-size warehouse within a correctional facility in Lapeer, Michigan. Once completed, the building will feature not only classrooms but a computer room, a library, and a café serving food for purchase by professors and students.

These men are hungry for education and have a growing resolve and desire for a better life. Said one man, “Walking into a classroom was like walking out of prison.”

Studies reveal that prison education leads to substantial reductions in recidivism and saves governments money. Could this be an experiment worth trying in Indiana? Education not only opens doors and reduces crime and recidivism, it also transforms lives, families, and communities. Read more Here!