The Bridge Program
As Ambassadors for Christ, we want to share the ministry of reconciliation with those who are incarcerated and their families. The Bridge Program bridges the gap between incarcerated members and their families, and then with their community, by providing special support services.
The program unfolds over four phases across a five-year journey, beginning with a cohort of up to 110 participants each year. Each participant and family is supported by a “Bridge Builder” team: social workers and case managers, clergy, counselors, mentors, financial advisors, medical personnel, and educators.
The Four Phases
1
Initiating the Bridge
Beginning eight to twelve months before release, participants are identified and selected for the program. Family members are identified, and clergy, counselors, and mentors begin providing immediate services, including transportation for family visits to and from the correctional facility.
2
Transitioning of Clients
Transitioning back into society is challenging. Upon release, clients enter transitional housing for six to twelve months in a warm, supervised environment. This time allows for decompressing, reflecting, and preparing to reunite with family. Clients receive comprehensive medical examinations and counseling, and Christian maturity and healthy life habits are developed through intensive training.
3
Establishing the Home Bridge
Clients are fully reunited with family in short- or long-term housing. They begin job training or career planning with mandatory appointments at our Life Skills Resource Center or Job Training & Placement Center, with continued counselor and mentor home visits.
4
Maintaining the Bridge
Once the bridge between clients and their families is restored and stabilized, with issues of housing, employment, finance, health, and transportation resolved, staff mentors schedule follow-up visits to ensure lasting success.
The Outcome We Pray For
Affordable housing, employment, and better health and wellness for restored families. Most importantly, our clients become our family and discover that “with God all things are possible.” Having their own living testimonies, they too can become Ambassadors for Christ in their families and communities.