Can you tell me more about the Life-Skills program and what the participants will gain from it?
In 1989, Interfaith Assembly and Catholic Charities developed a program called Education Outreach to assist homeless adults recover from the trauma of homelessness and help them reintegrate into communities.  As a result of its success, the program is now called the Life-Skills Empowerment Program (based on the Education-Outreach program currently offered twice a year at New York Catholic Charities).  The Interfaith Assembly has assisted a number of community-based organizations to replicate this program with great success.  We have worked with Interfaith and Hudson Link to create a program tailored to the needs of the men we are serving.
The objective of the program is help these men reintegrate into communities.  This means they will learn simple skills that we all take for granted.  These skills include how to open a bank account or use a computer.  They will also learn positive values in a supportive environment so they won’t want to return to a community with negative messages.

Can you tell me more about Hudson Link and Interfaith Assembly?
Formed in 2000, Hudson Link is a not-for-profit organization that helps inmates of Sing Sing Correctional Facility prepare for more constructive and meaningful lives while in prison and upon reentering society.  It provides inmates with the opportunity to experience the positive effects of learning at the college level.  The program can maintain a student body of up to 75 men per semester taking courses towards an Associate degree in Human Services or a Bachelor degree in Behavioral Science.  It has a waiting list of up to 100 men.  In order to qualify for the program, the men must contribute a portion of their annual earned income in prison to help pay for their college expenses.  They must also have a model record of behavior before and during their course work.  To date, not a single graduate of the Hudson Link Program has returned to prison.  Nationwide, 60% of prisoners return to prison at some point in their lives.  To learn more about Hudson Link, please go to their web site located at www.hudsonlink,org. 

The Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) coalition of religious organizations and individuals working on behalf of the homeless, poorly-housed, and at-risk individuals.  It was founded in 1986 at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City.   To learn more about Interfaith Assembly, please go to their web site located at www.iahh.org.
The Interfaith Assembly has been invited to speak on a number of occasions at various Church forums and classes regarding their work with homeless people. On some of these occasions, individuals who themselves had been homeless shared their stories of recovery. Church members in attendance found these presentations to be compelling and informative. Discussions were initiated about applying the Assembly’s Life-Skills Program format to serve a population in crisis which the Church was working with or interested in serving.

Has this same program been offered elsewhere and what were the results?
Since the development in 1989 of the Interfaith Assembly’s Life-Skills Program, close to 1,000 women and men have participated. The initial program, based at New York Catholic Charities, has been offered twice a year since 1990 with very successful results. Since the program format was established, the model has been replicated at over a half a dozen sites, and a shorter modification has been offered through a partnership with the NYC Board of Education (now the Department of Education) at over one dozen additional sites throughout the five boroughs of New York City.

The three key elements of the program - life-skills, goal setting with a mentor*, and “telling one’s story, (*mentors are not part of the modified Dept. of Education programs) are fundamental to the program’s effectiveness. The details of these elements are tailored to address the specific issues presented by the particular participant profile that the program is designed to serve. For example, a program for survivors of domestic abuse includes a life-skills session entitled “breaking the cycle of abuse”, and programs for parents include a life-skills session entitled “being a partner with the child in education.”

What does the Bible say about ministering to people who are, or have been, in prison?
Matthew: 35-36, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came unto me. “

Matthew 25:40, “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”   In response to our biblical call to reach out to those in prison and in need, the Church is asking for your help with this program. 

Will this program be conducted at The Reformed Church?  When will the Program take place?
Yes, the program will take place at The Reformed Church on Thursday evenings from September 3, 2009 through January 14, 2010.  The men will enjoy an evening meal from 6: 00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. The sessions will run from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. 

Can you tell me something about the men who will be attending this program and how they were invited?
The eight men attending the program were personally selected by Hudson Link and will be interviewed by our Director of Mission and Outreach, Dawn Ravella.  These are highly motivated men who all earned college degrees while in prison through Hudson Link and local colleges.  In order to attend the Hudson Link program in prison, each man had to go through an application process. Once selected, they pay 80% of their prison income towards their education.  Once out of prison, they are taught to give back and help the men in prison through teaching or mentoring.

What volunteer opportunities are available for members of the congregation to support this ministry?
We are in need of volunteers to mentor, teach, and prepare/serve meals at each of the session.  Mentors are needed for four sessions on September 24, October 15, November 5 and January 7.  Mentor training will be conducted at the church on September 21.  Teachers and meals are needed for each of the 18 sessions. 

We need teachers to lead each of the Life-Skills classes which run about 45 minutes to an hour.  Interfaith Assembly will provide training guidelines for each session and will work with each volunteer to enhance the volunteers own knowledge of a particular subject.  For example, we need teachers in the following areas: Basic Computer Skills, Goal Setting and Building Your Dreams, Self Image and Values, Healthy Relationships, Maintaining a Support System, Job Seeking and Jobs Skills, Being an Asset to Your Employer etc. 

Volunteers are also needed to prepare meals for the eight men.  The volunteers will need to bring the food to the church, serve and clean up.  Volunteers are welcome to dine with the men.

If you are interested in any of the volunteer positions, please contact Dawn Ravella at 337-6776, Ext. 114, or via e-mail at dawn@reformedchurch.org.

Who at the church can I contact for further questions?
You may contact Dawn Ravella at 337-6776, Ext. 114, or via e-mail at dawn@reformedchurch.org.