Statements
Mission
Seeking to put God's love into action, This Is Living Ministries disciples those affected by incarceration and addiction with Biblical principles, teaching them how to reenter society and live out these principles in their own home, church, workplace, and community.
Background
Women with a heart to see lives restored met as a group of jail ministry volunteers. We all felt passionate about helping women after incarceration. As we were seeking to find resources for them, we realized there was a huge need for housing, training, clothing, and spiritual formation. With a recidivism rate of 86% in our local county jail and those of the surrounding rural counties and a recidivism rate of 46% in our prisons, we decided to turn our vision into a mission. Primary GoalsDisciple women in establishing a relationship with Jesus and realizing their individual potential according to God's plan for them. (Jeremiah 29:11)Provide a safe, loving home environmentProvide clothing, food, love, and hygiene during the programWork opportunity development: interviewing skills, computer skills, resume buildingProvide women with opportunities to give back to the community and adopt a positive, responsible lifestyleTrain in life skills: cooking, cleaning, budgeting, furthering education, parenting, coping skills, marriageHelp women plan to obtain and maintain permanent, safe, and affordable housing after program completionGive women opportunities to share their faith and encourage others in following Christ
Impact
'He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.' Psalm 107:14. Successfully worked in unity with multiple churches, faith-based programs, mental health facilities, prisons, and jails to connect those we serve with resources. Received parole approved from the TN Department of Correction in 2019. Approved as an Addiction Recovery Program through TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in 2022. We have served over 50 ladies and their families since 2019. A study this year shows that our graduates have a 16% chance of recidivism and women who complete at least 6 months of the program have a recidivism rate of 25%.
Needs
Our most pressing needs include:
- our building fund to be able to serve more women
- monthly sponsors to support our current home
CEO Statement
I personally lived a life of addiction and incarceration for over 8 years. Since being set free from these life-controlling issues, I am driven to shine a light to lead people to Jesus' transformative love. I have been sharing my testimony and serving in ministry for over 8 years in jails, prisons, schools, and churches. While serving in the Putnam County Jail Ministry for Life Church as the Women's Leader, I felt God calling us to do more. Out of this stirring, we began a connect group at Life Church to disciple men and women coming out of incarceration and addiction. This led to This is Living Ministries that offers a 12-month re-entry residential home for women coming out incarceration from the Tennessee Department of Corrections. My husband and I know firsthand how hard it is to start your life over. We created a program that teaches all of the skills that we know are necessary to live out our faith in a new life! We hope that many will soon come to see how much re-entry programs are needed in our state to lower recidivism, taxpayer burden, crime rate, and restore our communities!
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Religion- Related - Christianity |
| Secondary Category: | Crime & Legal - Related - Rehabilitation Services for Offenders |
| Tertiary Category: | Human Services - Group Homes |
Areas Served
We serve all women coming out of any county jails or state prisons in Tennessee.
| TN |
