Starting Over On The Inside
A LIFE-CHANGING PROGRAM THAT EQUIPS OFFENDERS WITH THE NEEDED CHARACTER QUALITIES AND LIFE SKILLS FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL RETURN TO SOCIETY
50% of Colorado's released prisoners reoffend
Without addressing prisoners' real-life issues before their release and if their hearts aren't transformed by the love of Jesus Christ, the revolving door of Colorado's 50% recidivism rate continues.
WANT TO CHANGE THAT CRAZY STATISTIC
What if?
In 2022 we expect to see over five hundred offenders attend the Starting Over on the Inside Program and assist with their aftercare (this includes housing, employment, bus passes, and essential items) before and after their release date.
Imagine men and women being restored by Jesus Christ who experience his transforming love, peace and purpose. Imagine prisoners receiving the needed life skills and character qualities to equip them for their successful transition.
Imagine the impact this will have on their families, their communities and the state of Colorado, not to mention helping to reduce the 50% recidivism rate in Colorado.
Why now?
As a result of the program’s success in 2021 the Colorado Department of Correction’s Executive Director of Prisons and Director of Prisons, wardens, and the CDOC’s Volunteer Faith and Citizens organization has provided us access to all of Colorado’s Prisons.
Starting Over is available in both on-site and on video for all CDOC facilities allowing the program to thrive in the midst of COVID restrictions. In 2021 our program ran in seven prisons May through December. We anticipate even greater growth into many other states in the coming years.
We understand that to be successful this program must be sustainable. As a result, we are training chaplains and offenders to run the program within each of their facilities so we can reach more men and women with our life-changing program.
Worthy in His eyes
Many of us have made poor decisions and for some those choices have led to incarceration. There are good reasons for being sentenced to prison, but a prison sentence does not change that people are created in God’s image and have worth in His eyes.
Prison is, however, a dehumanizing environment for most. Many prisoners have been forgotten and disconnected from family or friends during their time behind bars, but God has not forgotten them. He knows their names, and their stories and they matter to Him. Nor have we forgotten…
LIFE CHANGE IS A MATTER OF THE HEART AND THIS IS WHERE GOD BEGINS TO CHANGE THINGS
Partner with us
Starting Over on the Inside is about learning from failure and the ability to overcome it and succeed. For more than twenty years, the Starting Over Workshop has helped over five thousand people who have experienced life-changing setbacks who learn how to start over and experience healing, hope and a real sense of purpose.
Currently, the programs at La Vista Women’s Correctional Facility, Colorado State Penitentiary and Fremont Prisons will be completed by end of 2021. We are now scheduling workshops in other prisons across the state for 2022.
Please join us in asking God to bring some of the least-reached people groups in our country to Himself. We need $100,000 in 2022 to continue to expand this life-changing program. We’d be incredibly honored for you to be part of our support team that will transform the lives of prisoners, their families, our communities, and the state of Colorado. Call us at 719-499-8293 or donate now.
“Starting Over helped me to step back and evaluate all my relationships on the outside and focus on my relationship with God to put things in proper perspective.”
– Zane
“The program’s sincerity, honesty and realistic application has provided what I’ve needed all my life.”
– Gilbert
“Starting Over answered the questions of why I’m incarcerated. My history makes more sense and I know now that I’m valued and not alone.”
– Andrew
The pictures below are of the recent prison graduates. Their certificate helps their case managers and parole officers know that they are making intentional efforts to equip themselves before and after their release.