Providing Grace and Redemption through Christ

for Prisoners, Women in Recovery, and Military Veterans. 

Hello Stacey,

At year's end, we pause to reflect on its magnitude and extend gratitude for what has transpired. We celebrate in the relationships made and the many transformative events which have occurred. We also recognize the collective impact we have made, as Serving USA has united missions with our partners, working together to serve those in need in our communities.

This year alone we have funded, supported and facilitated The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) and other in-prison programs inside 73 distinct prison institutions in 18 States providing redemptive and life-transforming ministry to over 4,000 inmates and system-impacted citizens. While planting seeds for reshaping their own futures, they are also proving that they are indeed remodeling the landscape behind bars. In addition, they are growing positive relationships with friends and family, changing the trajectory of additional lives and futures, on the outside.

This year Serving USA moved forward with our expansion plan of support, to reach into every state in our Union, and our community of lives impacted continues to grow. Assisting in efforts helping military veterans, including dealing with trauma and difficulties transitioning back into private civilian life, we have touched into the lives of over 3,000 service members and first responders this year.

In 2022, we have also walked alongside our partners working specifically with women in recovery, providing 13,450 women the support and care needed during the most precarious times in their lives. Also, with the help of volunteers and donors who support our efforts, we have been able to provide additional prison programming, reentry opportunities and housing for 1,400 people.

As we turn the page and look into the future and upcoming year, we encourage you to join us in this important work. We remain steadfast in our mission to show Christ’s love by building a community of empathy and activism for those who are forgotten, and most in need of assistance. Please be sure to connect with us and offer your support by simply sharing with others about Serving USA so they can learn of these opportunities. We welcome you to serve with us.

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“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Romans 10:14-15

As the close of 2022 speeds toward us, we are reminded of the incredible work that our SUSA partners accomplish on an annual basis by being the feet and hands of Jesus. Whether it be inside the walls of a prison or the steps and stages that occur after release, we have witnessed countless lives saved, numerous people redeemed, and hope restored for populations that surely thought there would be no future outside the one they had previously.  

Yet, here we are, hearing the stories of transformation in their darkest times, seeing the positive results coming from the gracious and persistent people who work tirelessly to help them, and feeling humbly grateful to walk alongside all of them during this season of their mission.  

Our mission is to bring grace and redemption through Christ to Prisoners, Women in Recovery, and Military Veterans. We support a network of exceptional partner organizations with funding and other management resources to create, enhance and expand high-quality, evidence-based, transformational programs. As you may know, each year our grant opportunity process allows organizations who meet our qualifications to apply, with the intention we can support even more fine organizations nationally. While many of our partners will continue to be funded again this year, we will also be moving some of our former partners into what we call “Legacy Partners”. This means they will continue to receive guidance, consulting, and advisory support from SUSA and our family of services.

After careful consideration and vetting, we will be welcoming the following newest partners to our SUSA mix in 2023, by providing funding and support services such as mentoring, marketing training, legal guidance, and board development. Please join us in celebrating and supporting our newest funded partners.  

Prairie Hills Community Church, located in Lusk, WY.  

Mission: To help people begin and grow an authentic and enduring relationship with Jesus.

For more information: https://www.prairiehillschurch.com

Working Men of Christ, located in Kansas and Missouri.

Mission: Offers housing and mentoring to those coming out of incarceration to help them become productive, healthy members of the body of Christ and their families.

For more information: https://www.workingmenofchrist.org

The Cell Church, located in Westminster, CO.

Mission: Committed to identifying, discipling, mentoring, educating, and supporting God-gifted current and former prisoners, equipping and empowering them for Christian ministry.

For more information: https://www.thecellchurch.org

RECH Foundation, located in Jackson, MS.

Mission: To help individuals and families impacted by crime and incarceration through housing and resources.

For more information: https://www.rechfoundationms.org

Testimony Ministries, located in Los Angeles, CA.

Mission: To provide in-prison programs, pre-release support, reentry discipleship, and transitional housing for believers that were and are currently incarcerated.

For more information: https://testimonyministries.org

Changed Choices, Inc., located in Charlotte, NC.

Mission: To empower current and recently incarcerated women to achieve lasting, positive change through programming and personalized mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual support.

For more information: https://changedchoices.org

"Nothing about this has been easy, it’s been very difficult. But I just want to learn to be a good mom to my son.” Jazmin’s addiction started when she was 14, “I was stealing alcohol from mom’s cabinet. My addiction has cost me a lot. It’s caused me to spend some time in Monterey County Jail and worst of all, be separated from my son for two years.”

When asked why she chose to come into The Bridge program, she noted that her options were limited. “I came to the Bridge because it was the only program that accepted me.” Her charges restricted which program she could get into. Bob Langley, the chaplain at the Monterey County Jail, told Jazmin about the Bridge. “When (Bob) told me about the Bridge program - I knew I wanted to go there.” As she reflected on the beginning of her time at The Bridge, she remembered feeling secure. “When I first got to The Bridge I felt like I was somewhere really safe. Coming from jail and homelessness before that, I thought The Bridge was really fancy. It was beautiful and I felt safe.”

As Jazmin graduates from the program, she reflects on how things have changed. “I feel like I've gotten stronger mentally. I have grown to see that I can do hard things or things that seem hard.” She has also felt her faith grow stronger and has learned to lean on God to give her strength day to day. “I feel like God changed me completely. I just feel like He's with me and everything I do is through God. He keeps me going.” Jazmin went to church before coming to The Bridge, but lacked a deep relationship with the Lord. “When I graduated high school, I worked really hard to transport myself to church. I lived in King City at the time but the church I liked was in Salinas. So, I would take a bus to go to church every Sunday. But I didn't truly understand having a relationship with God until I came to The Bridge.” In month 5 of her program, Jazmin surrendered her life to her savior, Jesus Christ, and got baptized.

Jazmin has gained valuable experience and skills during her time in The Bridge. “I’ve learned and gained job experience and learned how to coexist (with others in the workplace and in the house). During my time in the program, I’ve gained some job experience working at the Second Chance Thrift Store. I’ve also enjoyed my time working in the Culinary Program. I’ve learned patience in the kitchen while they taught us complex dishes with multiple steps - it’s not simple like making ramen.” When looking forward to her future, Jazmin sees hope. “I started parenting classes and have had a couple of job interviews over the past few weeks. I also look forward to going up to Second Phase and starting my life over. One of the things I struggled with was feeling hopeful about my life and seeing a good future for myself. But now I feel like my future seems hopeful, that I can have a job and have my son with me soon to spend even more time with him.”

Jazmin’s story is similar to many of the residents, both men and women, that we have had over the years, with a strong desire to reunite and reconnect with their children that their addiction brought to an abrupt end. The typical reasons causing separation between parents with addiction and their children are usually homelessness or time spent in jail or prison. One of the most challenging things for these residents, who are also parents, is the fear of rejection from their kids, and it keeps them from reaching out. The most common question asked is “So what do I tell them?” We, The Bridge, encourage our residents to just be honest with them since most kids desire a relationship with their parents. Sure, there will be a season of rebuilding - it takes time to restore any relationship. We encourage each resident to start that process by reaching out to their children and becoming stable figures in their life. We urge them to do this while they are in a safe place like The Bridge.

A New Way of Life

2022 Gala: Mothering the Movement

When:  December 3, 2022

Where: Skirball Cultural Center

2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049, USA

Wings of Refuge

4th Annual Boone Tour of Homes

When:  December 3-4, 2022

Where:  715 W Mamie Eisenhower Ave, Boone, IA 50036

Orange County Rescue Mission

14th Annual Miracle at the Mission

When:  December 17, 2022

Where: TBD

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Christmas

December 25, 2022

New Years Eve

December 31st, 2022

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Questions?

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding information within this newsletter, please contact [email protected]



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