HOPE FOR A HAND UP:

Federal Grant Cuts Leave

Reentrants Praying For a Way To Work

Since the end of Federal funding that helped reentrants start a new life with a job and a paycheck, those 58% of reentrants who do not have transportation will not be able to get to their jobs. For so many, van transportation is the only way to get to work every day, on time. And, right now 20 more second-chance Employers are ready to hire reentrants if 2nd Chance Indiana van transportation can find the funding to be able to deliver workers to their locations on time every day. Watch the video below!

JEREMY HAYSE:

I Was Given A Second Chance...

And It Changed My Life

Jeremy Hayes is like many men who paid the price for a mistake and just wanted a better life. He wrote us recently and said, “A little over two weeks after I got out of jail, I was given a second chance , and that opportunity changed my life. He says, “Getting a job with a second-chance employer gave me more than just income—it gave me dignity, structure, and hope. I show up every day grateful for the chance to work and to keep growing.

I’m not the same person I was before. I’ve learned from my mistakes, and now I’m focused on faith, education, and hard work.” He says he has found a new purpose and is “thankful for the people and employers who believe in giving others a second chance, because without that belief, he said, "I wouldn’t be where I am today.”Read more about Jeremy in Jim’s upcoming Quote Of the Month!

Pictured, Jeremy Hayse, successful reentrant.

YEAR TO DATE:

Hits & Visits Tell The Story of Reentrant Job Acquisition



So far this year 250,687 people have visited the 2nd Chance Indiana website to look for jobs available to those with a criminal record across Indiana. And, more than 1.6 million hits indicate downloading of information, clicking on different job opportunities, or going through pages of help from wrap-around services that may include housing information, or help with food, clothing, counseling, or any of the many agencies and ministries that serve this special population. We constantly update our information and work hard to simplify the connection between the job seeker and the employer, with special guidance from our volunteer Microsoft retiree and guru, Martin Lammers, it gets better with every new idea.

Reform Alliance &

2nd Chance Indiana

Working Together

In our endeavor to constantly identify and expand our list of wrap around service providers throughout the state of Indiana, 2CI's Scott Whiting recently met with Maranda Williams of Reform Alliance. She shares a wealth of contacts and relationships with our team and provides us with additions for needed reentrant services to the 2nd Chance Indiana website, that lists things like housing, food acquisition, clothing, counseling, drug abatement services, and more. 

Miranda heads up the Indiana Secure Communities Coalition and conducts a monthly virtual meeting with dozens of people and organizations in the reentry field throughout Indiana. Pictured: 2nd Chance Indiana's Scott Whiting and Maranda Williams of Reform Alliance.

CONSIDER THIS?

Letter Writing &

The Hebrews 13:3 Request

In a world where you live in a 10’ x 10’ cell and haven't had a visitor in months or even years, there is one thing to look forward to: The Mail.

It was a letter from a man named Jesse who led us to the state-wide prison ministry that is 2nd Chance Indiana today. A relationship develops through letters. First, you share small victories and difficulties, and pretty soon, you are good friends who look forward to the next letter in the mail. It becomes a gift for both the writer and receiver.

In December, the crew from 2nd Chance Indiana will be meeting with the Televerde Foundation that trains women in professional development in the Indiana Women’s Prison. This meeting may allow us to extend our efforts to support those prisoners who wish to have a correspondent. If you are a woman who is interested in writing to a woman in prison, contact our 2nd Chance Indiana Inmate Correspondence Team Leader, David McElwain. He can provide all the help you need and will answer any questions you might have. Email him Here!

Just know this: Writing to an inmate is the most loving, life-changing thing you may ever do, and it is following Christ’s dictum of Hebrews 13:3, that says, "Remember those in prison, as if you were imprisoned with them." Read More Here!