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Sunday, March 14, 2010
 
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Contact Us:



Staff


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Douglas Murphy

Executive Director/Prison Reentry




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Pete Martinez

Program Manager
The Fathers Heart Program

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Address:

3475 S. Dale Ct

Sheridan, CO 80110

Office: 303.781.1297

Fax: 303.434.2786


Statement of Faith

We as a ministry abide in these tenets of faith:

Trusting in Jesus Christ as our Savior, we believe:

•    In God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth.
•    The bible as the inspired word of God.
•    The deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s son.
•    The vicarious death of Jesus Christ for our sins, His bodily resurrection and personal return.
•    The presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the work of regeneration.

Who we are

We are a faith based mentoring organization for men and women making the transition from incarceration to freedom.
    • Vision: To Reduce recidivism one-step at a time, one person at a time, effectively transforming those whom we serve, as well as those who serve.
    • Mission: Mobilize the Church to effectively develop a prison ministry, demonstrating acts of mercy toward the least of these our brethern.

Our History

In 1989, Friends in Transition (FIT) began with the vision of reaching out to inmates as they make the difficult transition from prison back to life in society. With a discouraging 80% recidivism (return) rate among inmates, Friends in Transition offers to reach out and change this reality through friendship in the Spirit of Christ.

Overall, we have found that through Friends in Transition mentoring, 80% of released inmates never return to prison. The benefits are real: changed lives; families restored; productive lives regained; hopes renewed.


What we do

Friends In Transition is a non-denominational ministry that recruits, trains, matches and supports volunteers/Churches to provide mentoring to a same-gender inmate in their last year of incarceration. Volunteers then follow their friend for 12 months during their transition back to community with guidance and support.

FIT provides volunteers with ongoing support and guidance through quarterly trainings, fellowships and personal supervision. With the adherence of strict Department of Correction rules and guidelines FIT enjoys 13 years of safe and effective volunteer / inmate relationships.

Volunteers like you offer inmates a positive, encouraging Christian role model who has committed to visiting a minimum of once a month for one year. This friend will help an inmate avoid feelings of hopelessness and isolation through simple friendship.

What we would like to see in our work together!

  • To mentor 50 men and women in 2007 – 2008 to stay out of the system for one year. The net result, over 1.3 million dollars is saved by the State.
  • To be a practical witness to the power of the church, motivated by the gospel, to live out its mission to the least of these our brethren.
  • To implement 5-mentor support groups in the Denver Metro area.
  • To raise up 250 volunteers in three years.
  • To raise up 90 churches in three years, giving support through volunteers and finances.

Beginning a friendship usually starts with a quiet voice inside that urges us to take the next step in getting to know someone better. Most of the time, it’s because we just met someone interesting, enjoyable – someone we have something in common with. But what about those people who are outside our regular activities and influence? The people who are tucked away, and forgotten – people who have a greater need for friends than most.

Today there are over 23,000 men, women and juveniles in Colorado correctional facilities. Nationally, over 2.5 million. Over 7 million if you count the parole and probation system. They are among the people who you wouldn’t meet by chance – only by choice.

Fourty-five percent of prison inmates never get a visitor. Statistics reveal that the highest level of repeat crime is by these forgotten prisoners; those who don’t receive visits or letters.

When released the average inmate doesn’t have the resources, skills or support system to successfully transition back into society. The costly result: Up to 80% of the released inmates re-offend and return to the system with in two to three years. Also, 80% of crime will be committed by repeat offenders!

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