Hello Kindway Family,
The Prayer of Jabez is found in 1 Chron 4:10 where Jabez cries out to God, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” Jabez was an honorable man and desired for God to bless him so that He may be a blessing to others and the Lord granted his request. So, after celebrating the Kindway 10-year anniversary, “Cheers to 10 Years”, it became time for our territory to expand.
Debo Onabanjo joined the Kindway staff in April 2021 to lead our expansion of EMBARK to the Pickaway Correctional Institution (PCI). Debo assembled a team of volunteers and over the summer they facilitated Celebrate Recovery. Some outstanding inside men rose to the top to join Debo and outside volunteers from the community to launch PCI EMBARK #1 on September 2, 2021. Stan Stever, Director of Community Outreach, will partner with Debo to oversee the PCI men’s transition to the community. The PCI administration, Warden Emma Collins, and Deputy Warden Rochelle Moore have warmly welcomed us. We thank God for the blessings we have experienced and for those yet to come.
In addition, we have expanded our territory inside the Marion Correctional Institution (MCI). In June 2021, we began the Parole Board Navigator Pilot Project. Trained Kindway volunteers accompany MCI men to their Parole Board hearing to listen and debrief with them after the hearing. Any man can request this service.
Also, MCI Warden Leon Hill allocated a four-classroom complex to Kindway. Kindway Reentry Central will house EMBARK programming. In addition, courses designed to help men prepare for success will be offered to the general population. The first round of programs include:
MCI men are registering now and the kick-off for new programs will be the week of October 18, 2021.
We thank God for blessing the work of Kindway. It is our pleasure to share the amazing news of how He is expanding Kindway’s territory, that we may be of service to more people than ever.
May the Lord keep and bless you, always.
Christine Money
Executive Director - Kindway
