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Welcome to Matthew 25 Ministries' Website, we hope you enjoy it and find it informative. In order to save time and money that are needed for other important activities, we will be sending out our monthly Grapevine Newsletter by e-mail, if you still need it sent by regular mail, please let us know. Be Blessed in the Lord. DIck and Maggie Witherow.
Ex-Prisoner Social Re-Entry Just Building More Prisons is not the Answer! We provide compassionate recovery assistance for ex-offenders who are willing to learn how to make viable choices, take responsibility for themselves, and strive to achieve future success. A Prison Re-Entry Facility for those just released from prison. Established in 1990, our goals are to help out students see their value as a person, affirm their self worth, and to assist them in becoming productive members of society. While there are a number of programs that provide beds for the recovering addict, we are one of the few ministries that works primarily with ex-offenders. We deal with the issues of chronic addiction, anger management, low self-esteem, the importance of setting goals, etc. This is all done in a family atmosphere where love and respect are practiced and encouraged. Our teaching curriculum is scriptural based and was developed in conjunction with programs that have been utilized for many years in the recovery field. We teach a person how to accept responsibility for their own actions. Our previous program experience (since 1991) demonstrates that our approach works. With national recidivism rate of 76% (the turnaround rate of going back into the prison system) we have shown that we can reduce that rate to as low as 10%. Ours is a lifestyle change approach for men and women. It requires individuals to experience an intense, complicated and holistic process. This approach involves different levels of learning. The approach focuses on individuals learning to take responsibility for themselves, learning that they can manage their lives by making viable choices, and achieve future success. We teach students to replace self-centered ego gratification. Teaching them how, through helping others, they are helping themselves. This is for individuals who are totally committed to changing their lives, and are willing to do whatever it takes to make those changes. The assistance we provide is for men and women that have served their time, and are looking for help in transitioning back into society. Those we work with have demonstrated that they have a desire to change. Most took advantage of voluntary programs while in prison. With my own experience of being set free from alcoholism and sexual addictions, I am in the unique position of being able to assist others with addictions. Being involved with recovery ministries since 1980 has helped me to hone my skills in being able to assist others in their attempt to break free from their addictions. I know first hand about the power of God to set men free. I realize the problem one faces when attempting to evaluate the risk involved and the effectiveness of any system aimed to the recovery for those who have a history of life-controlling addictions. While many have accepted a premise that there is no effective treatment for hard core drug addicts, or sex-offenders, our experience has proved otherwise. In my ten years of service with the Regeneration Center, a Christian recovery program for the chemically dependent plus my years in Matthew 25 Ministries working with ex-offenders, I have seen many whose lives have been turned around. After many years of working with alcoholics, drug addicts and ex-offenders, we have learned what it takes for men and women to put their lives back together and become a part of the solution rather than a part of the problem. How to Apply We accept referrals from the justice system and individuals in prison. In order to be considered for admission, a prospective member must submit a personal autobiography. After our staff reviews the autobiography, a personal interview may be scheduled for determination of acceptance. Cost: Residents are expected to work and earn an income, and pay rent of $100 per week. We believe that this concept is essential to the development of personal accountability and responsibility. Matthew 25 Ministries will provide residents with support and help only limited by our available resources.
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The Modern Day Leper