Facilitating Positive Life Changes for
Previously Incarcerated  Women

EXCERPTS FROM A LETTER TO WINGS OF GOD
August 10, 2009

I am writing this letter to encourage you and your people in their work with Wings of God, Inc. as they work on ways to help people reenter society as they are released from Jail or Prison.

The problem of recidivism has been addressed on the national level by Chuck Colson and Prison Fellowship. They were successful in reducing recidivism with their faith based program in five states. Success in this area included the following:

1. Biblical counsel: All counseling, about how we area to think about our circumstances and what we are to do about those circumstances must be God centered and guided by the Word of God, as the only standard for faith and practice.

2. Practical helps: Christian workers must work on structured programs of practical help, such as; work search, vocational preparation, food, housing, clothing, righteous friendships, transportation and involvement in worship services in a local Christian church.
In His Love,

Thomas A. Dymond, Executive Director
Morning Star Counseling Center

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Do local law enforcement professionals believe that we need a Transition Home in Van Buren County?

"There is a great need for a transition house for inmates leaving jail or prison.  We demand of our convicted criminals accountability and socially acceptable behavior. But they are pushed out of the doors of the jail and prison without a plan or a place to live, and without even the benefit of good identification or the means to obtain it. They end up returning to the only place they know - the bad places and people that got them locked up in the first place. I believe a transition home in Paw Paw would be highly effective. It is close to the place of release, and many services people need to successfully integrate into society.  The Department of Corrections agent in charge of the women's case load in Paw Paw was very excited to hear about a transition house. She knows the need and welcomes the idea, because there is such a great need."  -
The Honorable Judge William C. Buhl, Van Buren County District Court

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Excerpts from a letter from Sheriff Dale R. Gribler Van Buren County

August 6,2009

It is with extreme pleasure that I write this letter in support of Wings of God, Inc. initiative to establish a transition home for our female inmates at the Van Buren County Jail.

I have had the privilege to work with the ladies who bring spiritual guidance and encouragement to our female population. I can assure you their passion, commitment and sense of need for the female inmate population to seek the right path will not wavier, and ultimately will result in less recidivism.

This is a very troubling trend that can be reversed through the good work of the Wings of God.

Thank you for your interest and if you should have questions please feel free to contact me.

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